Per L'Amore Di Cibo

Clean Eating

2013-02-26T12:15:00.001-05:00

Clean eating is a pretty commonplace phrase lately don't you think? Paired with eating real foods, or eliminating GMO's, Mosanto and a whole bunch of other things that have been floating around the Internet, my Facebook feed and even Pinterest.

All of these terms got me thinking and piqued my curiosity so I started to do a little digging and research on my own. I started to find awesome resources online places like Food Babe, The Herb Guy, Natural News, Raw for Beauty and Just Eat Real Food. And you know what? The things I was learning was scary. The chemicals being put into our foods, modified organism, preservatives, animal by-products, it was enough to actually cause me to consider going vegan for a moment! But then I realized that eating healthy doesn't mean I need to nibble on nuts, sprouts and greens all day. I can eat meat and dessert and have awesome food minus all the crap.

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Letter from a Positive Person

2013-01-04T15:35:00.003-05:00

Dear Hopefully Open-Minded Negative or Realist Person,

I'm one of those people you hate. One of those glass half full kind of people. Always smiling, always happy, always seeing the "good" in situations and people. I annoy the crap out of people (and even myself sometimes) and people just don't "get" me at times.

I'll let you in on a secret though right now. Just because I'm always smiling and saying things are great doesn't mean bad things happen to me. It just means I react differently than you do.

It means that I get into a car accident and the first thing I think is I'm alive. Maybe I'm hurt, or maybe my car is damaged but I'm alive and then I process the next steps of what has to be done. Call the cops, go to the hospital, contact insurance etc. I see the process as a game plan of what comes next and I look at it realistically if you will. I divide and conquer and I move forward always looking ahead.

It means when I find out my grandmother has cancer I thank God she has led a long, healthy life til now and then support her by any means necessary. I don't dwell on the fact that she's sick and could potentially die, I celebrate the here and now and eventually celebrate her going into remission.

It means if I lose my job I am grateful that I have money in the bank and a husband with a good job he will return to in the morning. I re-budget our finances and hit the ground running sending out my resume.

It means I always demand more out of life.

If you have followed my blog closely you will notice how increasingly important faith has become to me. Not religion mind you, but faith. Faith is about a relationship with God, but more on that at another time. One scripture in particular comes to mind in regards to all this:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21

Yes this is essentially referencing positive thinking and positive speaking. It is often said we speak what is on our hearts and minds. Negative words and actions often come out of someone who feels very heart heavy, someone who is down and letting the world get the best of them. But someone who walks around with their head held high, speaking positive and has a smile on their face is someone whose heart is light and full of joy. No one can steal that joy from you no matter how terrible of a situation you may be in.

Positive thinking will get you a long way in life. Ask the most successful person you know how they go to be where they are today. I can guarantee you they didn't find success thinking they were never going to make it. Thinking you will fail does not breed success. We don't get "lucky" and get a break, we have to forge our own way to empower and achieve our dreams. Luck only exists when playing lotto and even then, it is more of "chance".

Your dreams can and will become a reality if you never let go of them. And as in never - I mean NEVER. It may take a day, a week, a year or a decade but if you never give up and are willing to go the distance to fight for your dream, to believe in your dream and see it as a reality in your mind it will happen.

My name is Kristin and I am a dreamer, I am that annoying positive person (though I won't throw it in your face). I don't believe in fate, luck, jinxes or anything else of that sort. I believe in God, myself, and my dreams. I believe that everything I want out of life will happen, I believe that every dream is attainable if you believe in it enough and are willing to hold on for dear life to it.

Will you?

Happy 2013!

2013-01-01T17:09:00.001-05:00

Happy 2013!

If you are reading this it means you are a success. It means you lived through and possibly survived another year. Or maybe you danced your way through a year or perhaps you crawled through it by the skin of your teeth with dirt under your nails from clawing your way through.

No matter how you did it, you're here and you should be proud of yourself. A new year means new beginnings and new possibilities. Don't think for one second you are a failure ever. Every day is a new day and a new opportunity for things to go perfectly right. There is always a second, third, fourth or even hundredth chance. As long as you are willing to pick yourself up and go at it again, you earned another opportunity to succeed.

I never make resolutions because I feel like they confine me to do it now, succeed now or you failed and have to wait again until next year. But I just don't agree with that. Why can't a random Tuesday be the day for me to start something new? It's time to stop looking to the future with thoughts of "I hope to" and start with thoughts of "I AM".

Tell yourself I AM a success, I AM a winner, I AM going to get that new job, write that book, get married, start a business, rectify a broken relationship. Whatever it is you know you need or want to do, do it now. Be that change you want to see in your life and be it now.

There is an infinite truth in the thought process that you can be anything you want to be. If you believe it enough anything is possible. My favorite scripture is Mark 11:24 which states "Therefore I say unto you. What things soever ye desire when you pray believe that ye receive them and ye shall have." Anything is possible at any time, any place....all you have to do is believe.

A Day of Remembrance

2012-09-11T09:39:00.002-04:00

As I start to type of this post on such a solemn day in American history I find myself doing what every other American is likely doing today. I'm remembering sitting in my PSAT class with my best friend hearing words about planes and the towers falling. I heard words that I only heard in history books - terrorist attacks. I learned of hundreds of deaths with only more to come. I learned what it means for a country to come together and unite as one. I saw what the true meaning of community was and how deep and how far compassion and love can drive us.

A lot has changed in these 11 years since that day. That best friend I had squeezed into one desk with as we learned of the events as they unfolded has since passed away in a car accident. My life has changed in so many other ways as well but a piece of me always remains the same and always remains where I was when I learned of what happened. Tragedy changes you that way, but it's what you do in the face of tragedy that determines who you really are.

In light of the memory of one of the most horrific days in American history I am watching yet another tragedy unfold. Out here on Long Island there is a local photographer whose newborn nephew is suffering in a way no child or person should ever suffer. Little Easton was born with a severe case of EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa) and in the less than 30 days he's spent on earth has been met with one trial after another. His skin is as delicate as tissue paper and is covered in painful blisters. In order for his parents to hold him they must go use special procedures using vasoline covered gloves and at all times Easton is covered in gauze to prevent his blisters from bleeding.

Right now Easton is fighting an infection and his entire world his rallying and praying for a miracle. They need the prayers of everyone and anyone who is willing. You can read Easton's story here and see information about a fundraiser that was set up to help offset medical costs for the family. You can read up on that here.

You can also follow updates directly from Easton's aunt Summer Lyn on her Facebook page. She also posted some extremely moving photos of the family holding Easton .

Be warned, all of these photos are graphic and at times difficult to look at. I myself cannot look at them or read his story without tearing up. Please spread the word that Easton needs our prayers and most of all needs a miracle of his own.

Monday Musings

2012-08-13T12:15:00.002-04:00

Does this not say it all?

*All photos are courtesy of People.com

Candied Bacon Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

2012-08-07T09:23:00.000-04:00

If the name of these cookies doesn't get you, then the taste will. I promise. I made these cookies for Bakin' Friends in celebration of our first secret ingredient bacon! I knew I had wanted to make a cookie, but not just any cookie a really, really, killer - knock your socks off cookie. This cookie was that cookie.

Monday Musings

2012-08-06T09:50:00.000-04:00

I had to give a little thought as to what I wanted to write about in my post today. Truth be told though my life has been consumed by the Olympics this past week, especially with watching Michael Phelps swim into history as the most decorated Olympian of all time. It's truly amazing to me to see what determination, dedication and hard work can produce. It makes me believe anything is possible. The Olympics are a prime example of this, as I'm typing this I'm watching an interview with Oscar Pistorius and how he's overcome his own obstacles in life, and he makes it look easy. Most people couldn't even fathom doing what he is doing and yet he is. Look at Missy Franklin and what she is accomplishing at just 17 years old, the entire gymnastics team, Usain Bolt and so many others. It amazes me to watch what the human body can accomplish, what you can do if you really want it.

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Pan Seared Scallops

2012-08-01T08:47:00.000-04:00

Scallops are awesome. I just discovered this a few days ago. Truth is, I was always intimidated by scallops, they don't look very appealing raw and the first time I tried them I couldn't get past the texture. But then I learned this was simply because they weren't prepared right because when they are prepared right they are just oh so good. Heavenly even. Or as my husband described "butter", his friends described them as "boss". I believe these are both compliments so I'll take them both.

Bakin' Friends! - July 2012 Edition

2012-07-31T09:02:00.004-04:00

I was so excited when I saw Steph post about wanting to do a baked goods swap on her blog Steph's Bite by Bite and i couldn't wait to get started and join in on the first month. The photo you see above is a picture of the delicious breakfast cookies I received from Amanda. They were delicious and I just loved how strongly the bacon came through and I thought the toffee chips were a nice touch.

Monday Musings

2012-07-30T21:33:00.001-04:00

“Every successful person finds that great success lies just beyond the point when they’re convinced their idea is not going to work.” - Napoleon Hill

In this spirit, today musing's are a collection of photos I've pinned on Pinterest. I believe they paint of picture of a message I hope everyone can be inspired by and learn from...

Red Lobster Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits

2012-07-25T18:17:00.000-04:00

There's nothing like Red Lobster biscuits. I don't know what it is about them, but I just love them. The cheese, the garlicky flavor and the buttery biscuit combination is just awesome. The terrible part though? We never go to Red Lobster, like as in ever. I think in the ten years we've been together we ate their once, but I remember their biscuits and have even gone once or twice and gotten taken out of - you guessed it biscuits!

Pane Cotto (Cooked Bread)

2012-07-20T11:55:00.001-04:00

One thing I love about my in laws is that they make so many unique dishes I've never heard of before. We're all Italian but they are off the boat Sicilians so they've got a few more secrets up their sleeves. This is a dish I've heard them talk about before, but I've never had it prior to making it myself.

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Orange & Grapefruit Jello Shot Slices

2012-07-17T11:24:00.000-04:00

Summer is a great time for BBQ's, beach days and well, quite honestly none of these events are complete without some sort of fun cocktail or boozy dessert. Which is exactly where these came in. While I have never really been a big fan of Jello shots mostly because they always seem to get stuck in the little cups so when I saw these (on where else but Pinterest!) I thought they would be a perfect opportunity to spice things up a bit!

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Monday Musings

2012-07-16T13:23:00.001-04:00

Yet another week has come and gone and I'm looking at the calendar wondering how we are already mid-July! This month has been nothing but one birthday party or event after another including the third birthday of my beautiful niece! We celebrated with her with a Minnie Mouse themed birthday party that was a blast complete with a Minnie Mouse cake and Minnie Mouse and rainbow cupcakes all made by yours truly! I wish I had better photos to show them off but in the rush of things cameras were forgotten and we were only able to snag a few camera phone pics.

In other news around here I've been working on and prepping for some changes on Per L'Amore Di Cibo and getting tons of posts prepared and ready to go. It's slowly coming together but I promise once it's done, it's going to be awesome.

I have a lot more to say but for now I'm going to keep a little on the quiet side. Keep an eye out for changes to come though!

Bacon & Cream Cheese Crescent Wraps

2012-07-03T09:02:00.000-04:00

These little bite sized appetizers are really famous around my household. They are super easy to make and will easily become the hit of any party! I can't even begin to tell you how often these are requested when Joe and I go to or host parties. Trust me on this one, make them and you will forever be hooked. Or don't, but then you will be missing out on something that is really just soooooo good.

There are only three ingredients for these, four if you count my secret ingredient but still as I sit here typing this I can't find any reason why you shouldn't at least try to make these! They're no fail and as I sit here munching on one I just keep thinking about how good they are!

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Monday Musings

2012-07-02T09:06:00.000-04:00

I've been working on this blog for just over a year now and I have to say it's been so exciting and fun. As always looking back on the year that is suddenly behind you, it makes you think. Which is what brings me here to a Monday Musings post. It's my first post of this kind and hopefully the first of many. I love posting about food and creating recipes but the whirlwind my life has taken me in lately has really left with me with little time to cook! That's not to say I'm not cooking, because I am but it's been a lot of repeat dinners, quick fixes and embarrassingly enough times when I've forgotten to snap a photo because at the end of the day I'm just so tired! But bit by bit I'm pulling myself together and preparing some posts and getting ready to kick off this summer right.

Foodie Pen Pals - June Edition!

2012-06-30T12:09:00.003-04:00

It's Foodie Pen Pal time again! Here's a quick run down/reminder for those of you who are unfamiliar! The rules are pretty simple, you sign up here at Lindsay's blog, The Lean Green Bean. Once you get your match for the month you email them and find out a little about them and their preferences. Then you put together an awesome package for $15 and send it to them. Staying true to the pen pal concept it is required of you to include a handwritten note inside saying anything you'd like and that's it!

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Lobster Roll

2012-06-21T13:17:00.000-04:00

Summer is officially here and although I'm not the summer's number one fan I am excited to officially be in beach season! My vacation from Costa Rica has left me with an awesome tan (I swear I haven't been this tan since I was 10!) and I plan to keep this tan up the entire summer and (hopefully) then some.

Living on Long Island means that fresh seafood is available pretty much year round, but there's something about the summer that really makes me crave it. Crab cakes, baked clams, lobsters, shrimp, mussels and so much more are available almost anywhere. There's something for everyone that will surely satisfy anyone's taste buds!

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My One Year Blogisversary and the Most Decadent Brownie Ever!

2012-06-16T08:46:00.003-04:00

Happy 1st Blogisversary to Me!

But I have a little secret.

Even though today is technically the one year anniversary of Per L'Amore Di Cibo, it's actually the one year anniversary of the first time I hit "publish". You see I typed up my first blog post in February 2011, but never published the post. I didn't like the way my layout looked, I had no other recipes to post and honestly, I really didn't have a clue about blogging. Now I'm not saying I'm the food blogging guru - there's definitely and always room for improvement but I can say that I'm happy with the progress I've made so far.

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Cookie Dough Eggrolls

2012-06-11T11:03:00.001-04:00

It's a big week for me here at Per L'Amore Di Cibo! This coming Saturday is one year since I started this blog and honestly I can't believe a year has come and gone already. Like every new year I'm setting some new goals for myself here and hopefully I will stick to them (unlike so many New Years resolutions!). So to start this week off right I present to you Cookie Dough Eggroll Bites.

These little treats should probably come with a warning...because number one - they are really, really good and number two - they are really easy to make! That sort of combination is just dangerous in my book, then pairing it with a little vanilla ice cream and really you got yourself a perfect little dessert....or a big dessert if you decide to make more than one.

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Chocolate Chip Cherry Cocoa Pancakes

2012-06-07T09:28:00.000-04:00

I really, really love breakfast and not only at breakfast time. Breakfast for dinner is a huge favorite of mine, if only the hubby shared the same appreciation for it as I do.

These pancakes I made for myself as a single serving one morning as I tried to get some work done at work while the hubby was off at work. Since it was only me I decided to use the "cheat" version and use boxed mix. I know, I know here I am running a food blog and I cheated on something so simple but hey I still doctored it up a bit!

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Banana Peanut Butter Cups

2012-06-01T09:23:00.000-04:00

I used to like Steph at Steph's Bite by Bite. I actually thought we could be friends if we were ever on the same side of the country but now I'm not so sure. You see, it's because of Steph that I made her delicious looking Banana Peanut Butter Cups and consequently can't stop eating them. In all fairness her post about them clearly states her own addiction to these tasty little bites but nevertheless I found myself needing to make them as well.

Brilliant thinking on my part huh?

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Foodie Pen Pals - May 2012 Edition

2012-05-31T09:03:00.000-04:00

It's that time again!

The spring has sprung full speed ahead and just around the mid month mark this month a large brown box appeared at my front door bearing gifts from Kai of The Ocean on Her Shoulders and what a foodie package it was! Kai took my love for chocolate seriously and gave me an awesome variety of chocolate bars.

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Copycat Taco Bell Tacos

2012-05-30T10:46:00.001-04:00

Admittedly I'm not the biggest Taco Bell fan or a fan of fast food in general, however this does not mean that I don't indulge every once in a while. One night the hubby and I were discussing the merits of Taco Bell and how they get that very specific taste to their taco meat when he jumped up and returned a few moments later with one of Todd Wilbur's Top Secret Recipe books. Sure enough there was a recipe for a soft beef taco in the cookbook and the next night we found ourselves preparing this dish for ourselves and our cousins who were coming over to play some Italian cards...briscola anyone?

We prepared the meat in a slow cooker which I think really helps the flavors come together and create the signature flavor Taco Bell beef has.

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Guanacaste - Costa Rica!!!

2012-05-22T12:29:00.003-04:00

Is it really possible that I've been MIA since the 3rd of May?! I'm feeling kinda guilty now, realizing how badly I slacked this month. But seriously time has not been my friend lately.

Down in Costa Rica we spent a whole lot of time just relaxing on the beach, reading, swimming, taking long walks and of course eating and drinking.

Our days were spent walking along this beautiful beach

and ended with some breathtaking views at night from our room balcony

We also spent some time at an adventure course where we got to do this:

and a little of this:

and this:

After which we were told by our tour guide that we were the only crazy ones in the past 6 months or so to opt to do the extreme course! BRING IT ON!

Our tour guide for the day was Ariel...who was just amazing and super friendly. We even convinced him to do the tarzan swing after Joe and I each had our turn! We loved it, although I'm not so sure if Ariel was as excited about it as we were! If you ever decide to visit Costa Rica you can check out his Costa Rica Best Trips here. Ariel was totally awesome and made the day a truly memorable experience.

This trip was also memorable because I got back on a horse for the first time in probably 15 years. I am not a fan of horses, I know how to ride them and all since I took lessons on a kid but there's something about sitting on a thousand pound animal that just doesn't thrill me, in fact we had a horseback riding tour booked once before but I got so worked up over it and felt so anxious I bailed and canceled the darn thing - and that was 3 years ago! This time I was determined to get over that fear, climbed up on my horse, named him Fred and told him as long as he didn't trot we'd be just fine. He listened very well and it was a good experience for me being back on a horse for the first time, unfortunately for my husband he didn't fair the same. His horse didn't listen to commands and really just marched to the beat of his own band. As hard as Joe tried, his horse just refused to comply or listen....I think it's because Joe didn't name his horse or give him a pep talk beforehand, but who knows maybe his horse was just that stubborn.

The next day we did a safari type tour where we got to see lots of birds, insects and other creatures including this sneaky guy swimming up behind me.....can you spot Poncho?

Apparently the crocodiles in Costa Rica enjoy a snack of raw chicken...call me crazy but sticking your hand in the water when you know there's a crocodile waiting for a snack is, well....just a tad bit nuts if you ask me. But lo and behold our captain Cappy had no fear!

My hubby even got the best shot of the day in what every dubbed the "Nat Geo" shot!

Check out the teeth on this guy!!

This was all fun and everything, but what really made our trip complete was meeting this guy....

along with his buddies....

Meeting these guys probably gave me my favorite picture of my hubby EVER

I mean, really does it get any better than this?!?

One thing we learned about monkeys that day was DO NOT mess with them and their bananas...they will yell at you!

I know this guy is trying to be vicious and all but even yelling at Martin our guide, I just think he's so stinkin' cute!

Our exciting trip concluded with a visit to Covachita, a small little restaurant built on the back of someone's house where a little old lady cooked up an amazing, authentic Costa Rican lunch paired with tamarindo juice.

It was just divine.

While we were on our way back to the resort our guide took us to "Jurassic Park" as he called it where we found this guy catching some rays.

Can you tell by the look on my husband's face that he clearly has no interest in getting any closer to this guy? Our conversation went a little like this?

Me: Babe go take a picture with that lizard!

Hubby: Just take the picture of it from here.

Me: NO, you need to go stand next to it.

Hubby: I'm not getting anywhere near that thing! It'll probably try to eat me!

Me: I need you to stand there so we can have a comparison of how big it is compared to you. Otherwise no one will understand the true size of this thing.

Hubby: So YOU go stand next to it!

Me: Don't be silly, I need to take the picture.

Hubby: Hurry up Kristin! This thing is hissing at me. It wants to EAT me!

Me: Crouch down next to it.

Hubby: What are you nuts?!?

And that was that. Hubby refused to get any closer, so you'll just have to imagine how big it really was. I highly doubt it would have eaten him too. I'm pretty sure they're vegetarians.

And that pretty much sums up our trip in a nutshell! I promise to be back on track soon as I'm trying to get back into the swing of cooking and preparing posts. In the meantime, try not to be jealous of our amazeball tans!!