Yep, I Made It: Salmon 'n Veggie Couscous

Here's a quick 'n easy recipe I whipped up for my mama last week...it took just about 15 minutes to make!  No joke!

FYI:  Couscous is coarsely ground pasta made from wheat.  Its consistency is similar to rice, as seen here:

(click image for source)

It's also affordable, cooks super duper fast and is deliciouso!

For the recipe below, I used canned salmon to ease the process, but you can also wash, marinate and bake/grill fresh salmon separately.  Ditto for fresh veggies!  (Keep in mind that it'll be a bit longer in terms of cooking time...) 


You'll probably notice that the salt content is drastically reduced here - I don't think there's a need to add extra salt when bouillon and salmon is involved...feel free to adjust to your liking!

Salmon 'n Veggie Couscous

What You'll Need:

• 1 1/2 cups plain couscous  (I used a brand called Near East)

• 2 3/4 cups water*

• 1 chicken bouillon cube*

• 1/2 tsp. butter or margarine**

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• 2 cloves of garlic, diced

• 1/4 cup yellow onion, diced

• 1+ cup of veggies (fresh or frozen!  I like a snowpea- various peppers-broccoli-zucchini-type mix)

• 1  5 oz. can of skinless, boneless pink salmon, drained

• 1 tbsp. dried parsley 

• Salt and pepper to taste

*you can replace the water/bouillon with 2 3/4 cups chicken broth.
** an optional ingredient

What You'll Do:

1.  In a small pot, boil water and add bouillon cube.

2.  When the cube dissipates, add couscous and reduce to a simmer.

3.  Cover and cook for about 5 minutes.  (It's done once the water is absorbed and/or the 
     couscous is dry and fluffy...)  Optional:   Add butter and stir for a bit more flavor

4.  In a separate frying pan, heat oil (at medium heat) and add garlic and onion.

5.  When the onion is translucent, add your veggies.  Stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes.

6.  Add salmon and cook until both the salmon and veggies are hot. 

7.  Add the couscous and parsley. Mix all ingredients for about 5 minutes.

8.  Salt and pepper to taste.


All done!  You can use this as a side or serve as an entire meal if you add lots of veggies and salmon.  Feel free to substitute salmon with cooked, seasoned and diced boneless chicken. 


Enjoy!

If You Don't Know...

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"...This one's a fighter..." 

 - Gym Class Heroes 

Another week has begun and so here comes another list of favorito 'net finds!  Enjoy!

• Above:  Love this song by Gym Class Heroes (ft. Ryan Tedder) - The Fighter.

• I must, must, must get back into yoga.  Read about "off-the-mat" practices here.

• In a happiness rut?  Make the most out of your life right at home.

• Aghhh!  I'm guilty of 4 out of 5 of these bad habits!  (I can't deal with bland food...hahaha)

• It's the perfect time o' year for popsicles!  I'd probably nix the sugar and use a spot of agave.

• This DIY braided rug reminds me of my very creative (and practical) grandfather.

• Last, but definitely not least, wise words from Gabourey Sidibe about self-confidence.

Have a fantastic week, all!

xoxo andrea

The Happy List

(photo by a. singh)

Take a deep breath.  

Exhale.  

It's Friday!  =)

A few things that made my week extra, extra amazing:

• Above, an evening view from Kissena Park, the destination of a little "family walk" as dubbed by the bf.  Along with his trusty sidekick, Edgar (his dog) we kicked off the week by walking for about two hours!  Tired.  Hot.  Happy.  =)

• Can't say it enough.  No Doubt's Settle Down is on constant rotation on my playlist.

• Dinner with my family. I made really great sloppy joes!  =) 

• Finally figured out how to use Pinterest.  

• Alternative music is back in NYC - 101.9FM is now New Rock!  Super psyched to hear Green Day, Third Eye Blind, Fun., and MGMT on the radio again!  

• Re-discovering the deliciousness found in frozen grapes.

•  Getting a pedi in Essie's Mob Square (also known as Mod Square)

• Lastly, who says that ridiculous, over-the top, can't-live-without, true love doesn't exist?!?  Here's the evidence... (check out the YouTube link here and the Bruno Mars song here)

Hip Happenin' weekend, folks!

xoxo andrea 

Incredibly Rad 80's Trends: Then and Now

In case you haven't noticed, the 80's are back!  The fashion bravery (Madonna's rubber bracelets?  MJ's red leather jacket?  Boy George's black bowler hat?  You can't get more courageous!),  fun music, and its overall creativity are definitely just a few reasons why it is my favorite decade by far!

Now, I'm no fashion expert, but here are a few trends (in my humble opinion) that have reincarnated into improved versions of their former selves.  They might be on their way out, but I loved them all nonetheless... *(Click on images for sources...)

1.   Neon (Then):

  
Neon  (Now):

Wear it!  Brights are in, in, in!   Adding one piece of color is seemingly just right for the millennium.

2.    Makeup (Then):

       Makeup (Now):

Wear it!  Oh, I love Joan Cusack in Working Girl, but how (and why) did she match her makeup with her earrings?  Haha!  Nowadays, bright lips = neutral/subtle eyes and vice versa.  (By the way, I love the bright red/hot pink lip trend!)

3.  Hair (Then):

     Hair (Now): 

Wear it!  I adore Madonna in the 80's if only because for the fact that she paired a bright red lip with super high hair!  Today, it seems as though a pop of color is definitely the way to go.  I'm in love with the ombre style, as seen on Drew Barrymore, above.

4.  Jewelry (Then):

     Jewelry (Now):

Wear it!  Numerous chunky, plastic and rubber bracelets on one's arm in the 80's have been replaced with....numerous chunky, plastic, rubber, gold, silver, sparkley bracelets (AKA an "arm party" - I kid you not!) Personally, I don't want this one to go away.  Costume or real, you can always count on jewelry to add personality to any outfit...

5.  Footwear (Then): 

     Footwear (Now):

Wear it!   I have to admit, when I saw a pair of jellies a few years ago, I grabbed them - just because they reminded me of how much I lived in mine back in the mid-80's!  Gladiators, flats, Converse and even socks with sandals have all made their way back on to our feet - this time, with way more height and again, color!

In conclusion...

Every decade seems to recycle itself some way or another.   I'm 33, and I've seen flapper trends of the 20's all the way to today's revamping of color blocking from the 90's.  The important thing is to HAVE FUN with fashion, be comfortable with yourself and love the body you're in.  Remember:  No matter what age, race, or size, self-confidence and a great attitude will always, always be in style...

xoxo andrea

Yep, I Made It: Easy Chicken Tortillas

For me, summer means many things, one of which is easy-peasy cooking!  It's way too hot to spend hours in the kitchen (plus summer = fun 'n relaxation!), so I like to cut my cooking time in half by making light, simple meals. (Bonus if it's healthy - super bonus if there's leftovers!)

Here's a quick dinner that I've recently made for the bf and it was a hit!  Think open-faced tacos!  =)  I've also added a small salad...  (Keep in mind that this is my first recipe post, so feel free to send suggestions!  I'd like to make this a regular installment, if only to keep me cooking!  Har-har!)

Easy Chicken Tortillas

Yield:  4 tortillas

What You'll Need

Tortillas:

• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 lb. of boneless chicken breast, cut into very thin strips
• Salt, pepper, dried parsley (to taste)
• 1 15 oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 16 oz. bottle of salsa
• Cheddar and/or Monteray Jack cheese, grated (to taste)
• Garnish:  1 avocado, sliced and/or sour cream (optional)
• 4 small corn tortillas

Salad:

• 8-11 ounces of spring mix or romaine lettuce, rinsed and chopped
• Endive and radicchio, rinsed and sliced
• 1  8 oz. canned corn, drained and rinsed
• 8-10 grape tomatoes, rinsed and halved
• 2 tbsp. feta cheese

What You'll Do

1. In a medium bowl, prepare the salad by combining greens, endive, radicchio, corn and tomatoes.  Cover and place in refrigerator.
2. Using a saute pan, heat oil and add chicken breast.
3. Sprinkle salt, pepper and dried parsley* and cook chicken until browned (feel free to omit the parsley - it's just a personal fave!) 
4. Add black beans. Cook until soft.
5. Add salsa. I use the entire bottle for veggie overload, but use to your discretion!
6. Heat through then simmer for about 5-7 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, on a slightly greased baking sheet, warm the tortillas in a preheated 350-degree oven.  Be sure to keep an eye on them - they can burn pretty quickly!  1-2 minutes on each side should be perfect. 
8. Remove chicken/bean/salsa mixture from heat and spoon on each of the tortillas.  Top with grated cheese.
9. Return to oven until cheese melts.
10. Optional:  Garnish with avocado and/or sour cream. 
11. Serve with salad, topped with feta cheese.

 Final result?

(photo by a. singh)

Ta-da! 

Not only was this one really tasty meal, but it was healthy and filling to boot!  We were stuffed after one tortilla each.  Tip:  Use the leftovers in a burrito or spoon over wild or brown rice.  You can also replace the chicken with steak, shrimp, grilled tofu or fresh veggies like peppers, yellow onions, zucchini,etc. 

Enjoy!

xoxo andrea

If You Don't Know...

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"Nothin's gonna knock this girl down..."

- No Doubt

Hello all!

So we are well into the summer here in NYC!  I feel like the sweltering temps is Mother Nature's payback for the extremely calm winter we had this year!

In any case, here are a few 'net finds that I've come across in my summer haze: 

• Above:  After an 11-year hiatus, No Doubt does not disappoint with their new single!  Check it out here!  What the heck is Gwen Stefani's secret?!?  In fact, the entire band hasn't aged!

• Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, oh my!  Never thought of adding these to my homemade iced coffee.  (Someone in particular will love this one =)

• Hmmmm...a DIY, toxin-free mani?  Interesting!

• I need motivation to organize my closet ASAP!

• Some tips on making the best of summer.  

• A must-try:  A laptop case made out of...duct tape?!?

•  Finally, words of wisdom from Julia Child.

Here's to a great week!

xoxo andrea

The Happy List

Hello my dear readers,

Confession: I've been publishing several "Note to Self" entries because I don't have time to write any real entries!  Aghhh!  The summer began a longgg time ago and every night I sit at this computer wondering what to write.  So, during one of my bouts with insomnia, I thought of "The Happy List" where I'll list a few things that brought some positivity into my life. 

And here we go!  A few items to kick off my happy list:

• I surpassed the "wall" this week at the gym!  I felt like Dennis, the main character in one of my favorite movies, Run Fatboy Run.  Haha!
• A pretty cool app called Graffiti Me. 
• Catch-up time with my cuzzo and bro.   Great advice from my mama to boot!
• 80-degree weather here in the NYC.  We had two heat waves in a row last week! 
• Listening to Flo Rida's Wild Ones (featuring Sia) while driving with the windows down. It's just plain fun! 
• Stumbling on Aaliyah's More Than A Woman video - brings me back to some really great times. =)

 What's on your happy list this week?!?

xoxo  andrea