Carefree days of summer……

Posted on August 18, 2012 by Denise

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I didn’t intend for the lack of frequent posting this summer, but life happens! I hope you understand! We’ve had carefree, busy days…..but definitely carefree in that they were mostly “unscheduled” time of catching up with friends and family. Love having that time with the ones we love and care about….don’t you?
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These past few weeks my girls have also attended another VBS, the little one had swim lessons (which she LOVED!!), I’ve been maintaining the exercise routine I started with hubby back at the end of May (I’m back to running which I’ll share more about soon!!), and been helping out at hubby’s office. I’ve managed to get out kayaking 3 Saturday mornings in a row….BLISS! Now we’re gearing up for the start of a new homeschool year. My oldest daughter is going into 8th grade, my middle into 4th grade and the little one is starting Pre-K.
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The oldest 2 girls are excited about a couple classes they’ll be taking outside the home with other homeschoolers this year. They are both taking IEW (writing and grammar), the oldest physical science (Apologia), and the middle Art. Their classes will be on Thursdays from 9:30 – 2:30 every week starting this week. I’m excited for them!
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Like most moms, I feel it will be nice to get back into a regular routine. We’ve had an amazing summer, but it’s nice to see structured learning taking place and it does lend for a more peaceful home climate. We eased back in to things last week with a lighter workload, and yesterday with a full load. Our homeschool group starts back up Friday, and my Mops group on August 30th.
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As far as blogging goes ~ I’ve been contemplating a few new ideas of things I want to share with you guys! While I’m getting back into the swing of things here….I hope you’ll let me know if you have any ideas of things you want to see. I’ve had such an interesting summer on the “food” front, and learning more about which types of food I feel better eating. I’m excited to discuss it with you!

Now tell me……what have you been up to??

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Panko chicken with grapefruit honey sauce ~ Secret Recipe Club

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Denise

I still love Secret Recipe Club! I’ve shared with you before that the reasoning behind Secret Recipe Club is exactly why I got into food blogging in the first place….the pouring over a food blog to find a recipe to make, getting to know a new to me food blogger and the community of it all. It’s SO much fun!!

This month I was assigned Art From My Table, and as usual it was hard to narrow it down to one recipe. Chellie has a tremendous amount of incredible recipes to choose from so it was very challenging. She loves cooking, and her blog is proof of that. I’m sure I’ll be trying more of them in the weeks to come.

I finally chose Panko Chicken with Grapefruit Honey Sauce, but also in the running were Sweet Potato Cakes with Black Bean Salsa, Taco Soup, and Homemade Fruit Leather. Make sure you stop over and check out her site!

The panko chicken turned out AMAZING! I’m almost embarrassed to admit that this was my first time using panko breadcrumbs (a coarser japanese style bread crumb), and I don’t think hubby will ever let me go back. He claimed these tasted exactly like Chik-Fil-A! I was excited to try the grapefruit honey sauce because it was a citrus based sauce. It was good, but I can’t wait to play around with it a little more. Next time I’ll use a smaller garlic clove, and a smidge more honey. I also forgot the pepper, but this is definitely a sauce that forms a basis for more sauces to come.


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Panko chicken with grapefruit honey sauce ~ Secret Recipe Club
Author: 
Recipe type: Dinner, Chicken
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 5
 
Ingredients
  • 4 chicken breasts, sliced in half to make thinner
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • Olive oil for pan
  • sea salt
  • pepper
  • FOR SAUCE:
  • ½ cup grapefruit juice (2 grapefruits juiced)
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp honey (I'll add a little more next time)
  • sea salt
  • pepper
Instructions
  1. Rinse and slice chicken in half to make thinner chicken cutlets. Beat eggs in dish and have ready for dipping. Pour a cup or so of panko breadcrumbs into another container for dipping.
  2. Using a mallet, pound to flatten chicken.
  3. Preheat cast iron or other skillet with about a tablespoon of oil.
  4. Dip each chicken cutlet into egg coating thoroughly, and then dip in panko. After you have 4 cutlets done, place into pan at the same time. Pan heated to medium (btwn 6-7 on electric stove).
  5. Cook about 3 minutes on each side being careful not to burn, lowering heat as needed.Season with salt and pepper. Dip and cook remaining 4 cutlets. Chicken should be cooked through, but if a little nervous like I was, I placed them in my convection toaster oven for another 5 minutes at 350 degrees.
  6. After all chicken is cooked, wipe out pan to use or grab a new skillet. Heat a small amount of olive oil. Soften minced garlic on low being careful not to burn. Burning garlic will make it taste bitter.
  7. Add in grapefruit juice, honey, sea salt and pepper, and whisk thoroughly. Heat on medium to medium low stirring fairly often and reduce to a thick syrup.
  8. Serve chicken breast with grapefruit honey sauce drizzled on top or use as a dipping sauce.

 


6 Comments

North Carolina road trip, family reunion and Mayberry days

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Denise

Hi everyone, my summer is flying by! How is it already almost mid-July? I know it’s been quiet here lately, but as you know my family and I were on vacation in North Carolina visiting family and friends. We rolled in just in time for the heat wave…..funny driving up from South Florida we left mild summer temperatures in the high 80’s for temps into the 100’s. We were also there for our annual 4th of July family reunion! It was SO great to see everyone!

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11 hour road trip from South Florida to North Carolina….not so bad since we can make it in one day!

My brother’s twins are now 20 months old….not only are they super adorable, but they are mobile and off to explore the world. My cousin from Nashville and his wife surprised us by visiting with their brand new 3 week old baby. We were all shocked and delighted they made the 8 hour drive!!

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My little loves to hula hoop and is quite good at it, my morning tea while in North Carolina and sparklers

With vacations and family get togethers, I’m sure your summer has been busy as well. I’ve missed you all, and missed being here so it’s great to be back! I have so much to share….so many things waiting in the wings. I need to just jump on and chat more here….I’m pretty addicted to active on Instagram, do you follow me there? Instagram is such a fun way to keep in touch with other bloggers and online foodie friends. 😉

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My middle power jumping, riding the carousel with my little, and our extended family divided into teams and played a heated fun and engaging game of trivial pursuit

It’s always nice to be back in my kitchen after being out of town. Nothing like cleaning out the fridge, and stocking up with fresh fruits and veggies. Right? I know I couldn’t wait, and got right back into the swing of things pickling veggies, creating my first kale salad and making meringue. We’ve also had chicken taco salad, homemade pizza, plenty of omelettes and fruit salads. What are your current summer favorites?

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Mount Airy is only 40 minutes from where I grew up, it was already planned for the day we found out Andy Griffith died. Sad news!! I grew up watching Andy Griffith, and was one of my favorite shows! My girls love it too!

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Photo in bottom right is a picture of Andy Griffith’s home growing up. He was an only child.

My girls were in VBS last week (Vacation Bible School), and it was SO exciting because this was the first summer all 3 can attend. My 4 1/2 year old is thrilled to be included this year….last year she wanted to be dropped off too. 😉

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Visiting one of my oldest friends and neighbor growing up after the family reunion. She’s blessed with blackberry vines in her yard that her father maintains. Every summer we get to pick organic blackberries to our hearts content. We made blackberry jelly together. I grew up eating their homemade ice cream which my girls and hubby got to sample, and we went bowling together.

I signed my little one up for swim lessons, and have been looking at the rest of our summer plans. I love the spontaneity that comes with summer, don’t you? It’s been great keeping up with friends, and having flexibility in our schedule.

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We went on a double date with my friend and her hubby and finally tried Noble’s Grille! We had an amazing lunch (farm to table restaurant) and then to Edward McKay’s used book store. See I found the foodie section, and scored some great books that had been on my list awhile!

What have you guys been up to? I can’t wait to hear about your summer so fill me in!

12 Comments

My new favorite breakfast!

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Denise

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Hi guys!! Summer is just zipping right along, and I’m super excited about life right now! My family is doing great, and we are ready to celebrate July 4th with family again. Lately we’ve been spending most of our time outdoors enjoying the beautiful south Florida weather (though rainy and dreary at times…June is the start of rainy season for us).

We’ve been busy at the beach, pool, water park, grilling, having friends over, hosting slumber parties, patio sitting, bike riding, kayaking….and hubby and I have been on a weight loss and exercise kick. It’s awesome when a married couple is on the same page regarding health and fitness, right? Love that we motivate each other! We’ve been out in the neighborhood 3 nights a week running together. Since our oldest is 13, and an amazing babysitter….we get that time to ourselves, and it’s been SO NICE! If you’re not there yet….your time is coming, and it’s a huge BLESSING!

I wanted to share this quick and easy breakfast idea with you. I’m sure most of you have had it before, and honestly I’m surprised I’ve lived my life this long without it. I know my fear of tomatoes definitely played a role, but thankfully life has taken me down a new path with my tastebuds. I am all about fresh tomatoes now, and eat them daily! Obviously this isn’t a recipe….just a food idea.

Make the perfect over easy egg with a small amount of butter, sea salt and pepper. Slice 1/4 inch thick fresh raw tomato. Sprinkle tomato with salt and pepper, and top with the egg. Serve warm, and eat with a fork and knife. As you cut each piece, dip in warm yellow yolk. Heaven on a plate…I promise!

Okay tomato lovers….tell me what else I’ve been missing! What are your other tomato secrets? I’ve recently discovered the deliciousness of a fried green tomato! Mmm……

6 Comments

Zucchini parmesan crisps ~ Secret Recipe Club

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Denise

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Every month just seems to fly by, and I can’t believe it’s time for Secret Recipe Club again. Wow!! Don’t blink or summer may be over! This month I was assigned A Tale of One Foodie’s Culinary Adventures. What an array of choices I had. It was seriously hard to narrow it down….I had 5 recipes bookmarked and was still going strong.

I ended up going with the zucchini parmesan crisps because I’m always looking for new ways to prepare one of my new favorite vegetables. These were good, and I was happily surprised my girls wanted to try them. My 9 yr old kept coming over for more which is always a good sign.

I made mine in my convection toaster oven, and the cooking time didn’t vary much. Hop on over and check out Erin’s blog. You’ll be glad you did!

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5.0 from 2 reviews
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Zucchini parmesan crisps ~ Secret Recipe Club
Author: 
Recipe type: Side dish
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 5
 
Ingredients
  • Zucchini (2 medium or 3 small)
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese (I used parmesan romano combination)
  • ¼ cup panko bread crumbs (I used regular)
  • 1 - 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400. Oil 2 cookie sheets with olive oil.
  2. Mix parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, sea salt and pepper in a shallow dish.
  3. Wash and slice zucchini into ¼ inch thick rounds.
  4. Press each slice of zucchini into bread crumb mixture to coat, and then flip to coat other side. It won't completely coat the slice but will still taste great!
  5. Place zucchini rounds on each cookie sheet.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.


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