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Archive for the ‘Spirits’ Category

Random Eats, Drinks and Things

Posted in Favorite Things, Foodie Items, Fresh Ideas, Michigan, Rest Day, Spirits, tagged , , , on March 13, 2013 | 20 Comments »

Just wanted to post some random eats, but also wanted to include a few other foodie type things in it.

Had a great dinner with my family at a local brewery which featured a Michigan Cherry Margarita.

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Ordered an Escargot Appetizer! Yummy. I mean really yummy.

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Got the Sushi Platter.
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Had a craving for some nut butter so I ordered Sarah’s Nutty Butter……My word that is one Smart Lady.  Cannot choose between the Gingerbread or the Caramel Latte so I won’t and I’ll eat BOTH.

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My friend Brooke, made me this super cool Luna Bar Vase.

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Tore up an Edible Arrangement. It had banana, strawberry and green apple in the assortment. Foodie Fun.

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My BF Jody sent me this book on Popsicles and this 4 pc. Spring Garden Measuring Cup Set. I love foodies gifts.

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Drank some Famous Dave’s Adult Punch.

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Crushed this Famous Dave’s Catfish and Ribs Dinner.

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Had a Vodka and Cranberry with friends.


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Just wanted to Share! Foodie Sharing is the BEST.

Check Ya Later.

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A Birthday Dinner

Posted in Dogs, Eating Out, Michigan, Spirits, tagged , , on January 21, 2013 | 27 Comments »

First off, last week was my 1 year blogging anniversary, and WordPress sent me this lovely message.
Happy Anniversary!

You registered on WordPress.com 1 years ago!

Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging!

So now on to the Birthday Dinner.

I took my husband out to Celebrate his 47th Birthday last week! I still cannot believe that we are adults, let alone middle-aged. We started dating when I was 23 and he was 26. We dated for 2 years and then we were engaged for 1 year, and married going on 18 years. So here we are now 21 years later and we both still feel as young as we were when we met, but clearly were not. I mean how did this happen, were a middle-aged couple.  We laugh and laugh about that. Well anyway, here’s our celebration dinner. He still makes my heart go Pitter Patter.

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So as a middle-aged couple we ordered a libation to get the Birthday Celebration going. Cranberry Cosmo for me and a Two Hearted Ale for Birthday Boy Jeff.

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We love this beer, plus its Brewed in Michigan!

We started with the Calamari. This dish is so good its;

    • Steak cut strips flash fried & finished with a 

Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc sauce. 

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Jeff ordered the Pile of Perch.

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I had the White Fish with Shrimp.

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We both loved our meals, but we didn’t stop there we then each ordered dessert. I ordered the Sanders Hot Fudge and Ice Cream Creme Puff .

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Jeff ordered the Caramel Pecan Bread Pudding. Delicious meal with a perfect ending for the Best man I know. My Jeffrey.

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Love a birthday dinner! On his actual birthday, I surprised him with a Chocolate Bumpy Cake with White Chocolate Shavings…My word that cake was good.

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These next pictures have nothing to do with Jeff’s Birthday Dinner, it just made me laugh. Here’s my Ginger Girl on her 1st. car trip. She’s a very cautious driver. She ALWAYS looks both ways. Here she is Checking to her Left.  - Then -

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Checking to the Right.

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Ginger says Safety First while driving, and Don’t Drive Angry…..

Check Ya Later.

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Things I’m Loving, Meals I Ate

Posted in Eating Out, Favorite Things, Fresh Ideas, Snacks, Spirits, Vacation, Vacations, tagged , , , , , , on December 5, 2012 | 11 Comments »

I have found a few new foods that I just have to share with you.

Can’t get enough of your love Baby.

So good.

Obsessed.

Fantastic.

Meals I’ve eaten, some are restaurants meals and some are homemade.

Enough Said!

Check Ya Later.

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Chicken Soup for Your Soul

Posted in Eating Out, Spirits, tagged on November 14, 2012 | 4 Comments »

Seeing my Best Friend Jody is like Chicken Soup for the Soul.

My Best Friend came in from Miami recently. For me, there is nothing like spending time with my Best Friend she is such a huge part of my life.

So to celebrate Jody and Ira’s arrival, Jeff and I took them to dinner and had an amazing meal, drinks and happy conversation. Jody and Ira are newly engaged and are planning a June Wedding in the Florida area. I am so excited for the wedding and I had to ask them a million questions about their plans for the big day. I am also very honored to be standing up in their wedding.

Here’s our eats.

Oysters to start.

Along with a Spicy Crab Dip. Sometimes one appetizer is just not enough.

Then came our meals. Spicy tuna for me.

Pot Roast for Jody.

Jeff and Ira both ordered the Fillet.

So glad we had a nice day when they arrived. They are used to the Miami sun, so it was nice for them to arrive on a really nice Michigan day.

My Forever Friend.

 

Now I am counting down the days until I arrive in Florida and see my best friend again. I am so looking forward to their wedding.

Here’s a link to my visit earlier in the year to visit Jody in Miami.

Check Ya later.

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Virtual Vegan Potluck

Posted in Fresh Ideas, Spirits, Virtual Vegan Potluck, tagged , , , , , , , , on May 12, 2012 | 52 Comments »

Welcome the Virtual Vegan Potluck Post. Today is a great day to find New Blogs and find some Amazing Vegan Recipes.

VVP Button

So a few weeks back on An Unrefined Vegan’s Blog she posted this amazing idea for hosting an Eight Course Virtual Vegan Potluck, as soon as I read it I knew I had to join in. I am not Vegan, but the Potluck was open to all bloggers as long as they followed the Vegan guidelines while preparing their recipe for the Potluck. I truly appreciate being included.

This sign-up list just kept getting bigger and bigger every day. I know I am really excited to read all the posts for the Potluck, I love to look at other people’s blogs and their style of writing posts and how they post recipes, I think it really helps me become a better blogger and a healthier eater.

My first thought was to contribute with a Cocktail. I love preparing a good cocktail and Vodka is my drink of choice. Plus I wanted to leave the Vegan Recipes to the Experts. I am so excited about all the new recipes that will be available through this potluck. Makes me hungry just thinking about all the Luscious Vegan Recipes.

I wanted to make a drink that was light fresh and tart so here’s what I came up with.

Please Enjoy My Cocktail

Vodka Ginger Cherry Zinger 

Grab your favorite Vodka. If you have a drink shaker grab that as well.

Grab your juices and some frozen blackberries.

Cheribundi is a fabulous juice, there are 50 cherries in each drink with an-abundance of antioxidants and nutrients.

In the shaker I added two ice cubes and all the ingredients.

Now shake, shake, shake.

Add the frozen blackberries into the glass and pour the drink from the shaker into the glass.

Realized I needed more blackberries as I started to pour, so I stopped and added a few more and then continued to pour the drink into the glass.

I just love the vibrant red from the cherry juice and the deep dark red from the blackberries. I am always attracted to foods by their color.

Salute! Here’s to a wonderful Virtual Vegan Potluck.

Vodka Ginger Cherry Zinger Recipe

Makes One Drink

  • 1 Shot Vegan Friendly Vodka such as Absolut
  • 2/3 Cup Ginger Cherry Juice
  • Frozen Blackberries
  • Splash of Lime
  • Ice Cubes

Directions: Place frozen blackberries in your glass, then add all ingredients into a shaker bottle along with the ice cubes, and shake, shake, shake. Pour into your garnished blackberry glass and enjoy this tart, refreshing cocktail.

So glad I participated in the Virtual Vegan Potluck, I had so much fun finding other bloggers and I look forward to trying some new Vegan Recipes.

Now to see the course that precedes me, please click on the Go Back button below, but please come back here so I can take you through the rest of the Potluck.  You have to read this bloggers journey. His name is Jason and he blogs over at  Watch Me Lose 150 Pounds. His story is inspiring.

Thanks for coming back, now to see the post that follows mine, please click on the Go Forward button below, and again please come back for my closing remarks on the Potluck. I think you will really enjoy Reading Rachel’s journey becoming vegan, I know I did, she blogs over at Former Fish Taco Fanatic. 

Hey there! So glad you came back. I know you want to see the entire Virtual Vegan Potluck so please follow this Link to see all the Amazing Bloggers and their contribution to the Potluck.

Also I would like to add one side note, I Always Drink Responsibly, I certainly hope that you do too.

Thank-you for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed my portion of the Potluck.

Check Ya Later.

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Best Burger Ever

Posted in Burgers, Fresh Ideas, Recipes, Spirits, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 8, 2012 | 9 Comments »

I am in the middle of preparing a three-part post right now of the Blend Retreat, so please check back for all the activities and eats from the Retreat. 

Since returning home from the Blend Retreat and being away from home for the past two weekends without my husband, I wanted to make him a special dinner.

Best Burger Ever, is what Jeff told me while we were eating this for dinner. I saw this recipe on Iowa Girl Eats and I knew I had to make it. I am so glad I did, it was so flavorful and filling.

I was really excited that it had lime in it, plus I have never cooked with ground chicken before.

So bright and loaded with fresh ingredients.

Found this amazing Ciabatta bread which was perfect for the four servings this recipe called for.  I have to give a big shout out to Jeff for his cutting skills in the kitchen, he was my vegetable chopper and bread slicer.

The topping for this called for fresh avocado guacamole. It was just mashed up avocado seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic nuggets.

Used my handy Cuisinart griddler to grill up the burgers.

They came out perfect, I can see me making this again and again.

It was a meal on its own, we just had a small side of chips with it.

Seeing how I still had a 1/2 of a lime, I decided to have a Vodka and Cranberry with lime with my meal. I have to say good call, it was so refreshing and paired well with the burger.

Vodka Cranberry Cocktail with Lime

  • Lime Wedge
  • 1 Shot of Vodka
  • Cranberry Juice or Sparkling Cocktail Juice

This was a really good meal, I enjoyed every bite of the burger and every sip of my drink.

So here’s the very yummy recipe…..

Chili Lime Chicken Burger

Adapted from Iowa Girl Eats and Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Chicken Burgers

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 1lb ground chicken
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 lime, cut in half
  • 4 slices pepper jack cheese
  • 4 buns, toasted

For the guacamole:

  • 1 avocado
  • garlic powder
  • salt & pepper

Instructions

  • Combine chicken, green onions, bell pepper, cilantro, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes and juice of half a lime in a large bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined, then form into 4 patties and spray each side generously with non-stick spray.
  • Heat a large grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill burgers for 3-4 minutes a side, or until cooked all the way through. Place a slice of cheese on top of each burger,  place each burger on your choice of bread, then top with guacamole.
  • For the guacamole: Mash all ingredients together with a potato masher or fork.

Question of the Day: Do you ever step out of your cooking comfort zone and try a new recipe?

Check Ya Later.

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Easter Recap

Posted in Dogs, Holiday Meals, Spirits, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 9, 2012 | 2 Comments »

Stuart wanted to be the headliner for this post, he had such a great Easter and wanted to share some of his favorite moments, so towards the end of the post you can see some of the things he enjoyed.

Easter is a favorite holiday of mine and apparently my little guy Stuart’s. My favorite food related reason is because of Eggs.  I love Deviled Egg’s. So when my mom whipped up a batch on Saturday afternoon I was really excited.

These snacks came just in time, we had just taken the 3 dogs on a 2 mile walk, and dinner was still a few hours away.

For dinner we had Ham and all our favorite side dishes.

Cheesy potatoes.

Sweet baby peas.

Olives.

Sweet potatoes.

I loaded up my plate.

I opted for my favorite cocktail, Vodka and Cranberry juice.

Everyone else had wine, but Vodka is my drink of choice right now.

Here’s a few pictures of the doggies trying to get a little love from the dinner table.  I have to be honest, I’m a sucker for my dogs on Holiday’s, I let them try all the foods I eat, I know that is not a good thing to do, but I only give them little bites, I feel bad not including them in Holiday meals. The middle dog is Charlie, my parents dog, I call him my furry baby brother.

  

I waited until dinner was over and I tested Stuart to see if he would try to eat off my plate, ahhh yeah he did! He even tried to jump up on the table for a better view. I then put him on my husbands lap to see if he would try it with him, I’m usually the one he knows he can get away with stuff like that with, and sure enough, the power of the ham took over Stuarts fear of being a naughty dog. He went for it!

    

For dessert we had Creme Brulee, I was out playing with the dogs when my mom torched them with her little butane torch, I really wanted to get pictures of her browning the sugar and before she topped it with whipped cream and fruit, but I missed out on those photos. It tasted amazing.

I love the texture of Creme Brulee, so smooth and thick.

We let the doggies try the Creme Brulee, they loved it. I know I’m a naughty mommy, can you imagine what I would let real kids get away with.

  

Look at the little dog, he balanced like that for about 30 seconds, he really worked hard getting this taste, and this was my husband giving out these tastes.  This was Stuarts favorite moment, he loved the Creme Brulee.

BEST BODY BOOTCAMP

Looking forward to a great week, I’m at Week #6 of Boot Camp. It has been a great experience so far.

Question of the Day: Do you let your kids/furry kids get away with things on holiday’s?

Check Ya Later.

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Flat Bread Fast

Posted in Recipes, Rest Day, Spirits, tagged , , , , on April 7, 2012 | 5 Comments »

Needing dinner fast and not sure what to make, I remembered I had a  leftover chicken breast and an avocado that needed to be eaten. I also had a container of Brussels sprouts that I could not wait to roast, but my main inspiration came when I saw my Greek Flat Bread staring at me. I needed Flat Bread Fast.

Chopped the chicken into smaller bites and loaded them onto a Greek Flat Bread and topped with avocado and a slice of cheese.

Grilled the sandwich on my panini maker for 5 minutes. Roasted the brussels on 400 degrees for 20 minutes, which were seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic salt.

Yummy, cheesy and fast.

When I was cutting and trimming the Brussels Sprouts to roast, a few of the layers broke off and it left all these great pieces and I thought why not make Brussels Chips. So I arranged them on my baking sheet and sprayed with cooking spray and seasoned with Chili Powder and Garlic Salt. Baked on 400 degrees for 15 minutes. I really liked them, the inspiration to make them came from making Kale Chips.

     

Question of the Day: What gives you inspiration for your meals?

Check Ya Later.

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Bag of Oranges

Posted in Fresh Ideas, Prepping, Snacks, Spirits, tagged , , , , on April 6, 2012 | 2 Comments »

So recently I bought a big Bag of Oranges. Well after eating them everyday for 7 days I still ended up having 5 oranges that I just couldn’t get to before they started to get really soft, perfect for squeezing.

So I juiced them!

It really made a lot of juice.

So I had a great idea when I started to juice it, let portion it out into snack size bags and freeze them. They will come in handy for smoothies and for cocktails.

It ended up making 4 portions and I cannot wait to follow-up with this post and let you know how I used them.

Question of the Day: What fruit do you like to freeze?

Check Ya Later.

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Geese Don’t Care

Posted in Dogs, Fresh Ideas, Prepping, Recipes, Spirits, tagged , , , , , , on March 31, 2012 | 2 Comments »

Killian wanted to say Hello, he’s very social!  He loves to let you when he’s hungry, which is the same time I get home from work, this picture is him barking his head off at me and throwing himself around his bowl. He is just too funny, that is one think about my Killian, he makes me laugh every single day.

After he ate, he then attempted to taunted the Geese, he loves to run up and down the sea wall patrolling. He will stalk them slowly down the path, then pounce at the sea wall in an attempt to scare them. In my head I hear the Geese laughing and saying “Geese Don’t Care”, all sounding like the Honey Badger. I have a strange habit of imagining what animals would sound like if they could talk, and also what they might say.

To really make his point he will run out on the dock and try to intimidate them that way, and again the Geese respond with “Geese Don’t Care”.

As a last attempt Stuart will run out to help Killian, but again the Geese get bored and swim away saying “Geese Don’t Care, We Go Where Ever We Want”. 

Tonight dinner was easy, but I really loved every single bite. I love the convenience of a quick, yet still semi healthy meal.

Dr. Praeger’s little spinach bites are my favorite if I don’t have fresh vegetables on hand. Paired with Yukon Gold Fries these two frozen items make great side dish’s.

Boca meatless chicken patty with Wholly Guacamole, a slice of cheese, and lettuce.

Perfect light dinner for a busy night with not a lot of time to cook.

Question of the Day: When you have a burger or a non-meat patty do you have fries?

Check Ya Later.

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