Seared Mahi Mahi with Fresh Herbs and Lemon

I love cooking fish because it is usually quick preparation, a great lean protein source, and, delicious.  It leaves you feeling satisfied and light.  It lends itself to cooking "clean" with all natural ingredients.  Seafood is honestly my favorite food category... well, maybe after fruit...

I decided on mahi mahi when I noticed the sale on fresh, wild caught mahi mahi at the store.  This dish came together nicely, and the great thing about anything deglazed with wine, is then the bottle is already opened to pair with dinner. :) 

I made this along with roasted brussel sprouts and it was the perfect way to wind down on a Sunday evening.

To print a pdf version of this recipe, click here.

Happy Tasty Tuesday~

How Does She Do It All?

Do you ever look at another person and wonder how they seem to "do it all"?   How they have enough time or energy for everything they fit into a day?  Chances are, they are able to do a tremendous amount in their day - by choice - and so can you.

I listened to this podcast recently on 10 Practical Ways to Boost Your Energy Level, and if you have 30 minutes and are interested in the topic I'd recommend it. 

It got me thinking, and I made my own list of 10 items I find personally help my energy levels when I do them.  My "Monday Meditation" this week is to keep this list displayed where I can see it and try to check them off each day. 

1. Exercise ~ It doesn't have to be an intense hour at the gym, a simple 30 minutes to up my heart-rate gives me energy.
2. Start each day with intention ~ This means have a goal or intention in mind for that day. For example, I might choose to complete a big project at work, or it may just be to take time for myself.  Giving each day a focus helps me stay on track to that objective, and at end of the day, I've accomplished what I set out to.
3. Prioritize my to-do list ~ You know I'm big on to-do lists, and I find I'm most productive when my to-do list is prioritized and manageable. For me this usually means picking 1-3 things to get done and focusing on those.
4. Create the right environment ~ By this I mean both in attitude and in experience. For example, if I want to have time to be creative and blog, I may go to a favorite coffee shop. Or if I want to cook a really nice meal, I'll first start with a clean kitchen, music on, and candles lit.
5. Eat the right portions ~ I would say to eat healthfully, but I also think portion size is huge part of sustaining energy. If I eat too much, even if it is healthful food, I can feel sluggish.  If I don't eat enough, I feel weak. I now try to eat 3 meals a day, and have small protein-rich snacks when hungry.
6. Drink enough water ~ Funny story, I used to work for a client whose number one product is soda, and so soda is all everyone drank, including myself. I seriously don't know how I survived that year; but I know it was with constant caffeine withdrawal headaches. Now if I don't drink enough water (which for me is about 70 oz), I feel my energy slump.
7. Be my best self ~ When I'm focused on being the best I can be is when I'm most happy, enthused, and energetic.  No draining comparisons that don't get you anywhere.
8. Get outside ~ As someone who works from home, there are some days I don't go outside until it's time to walk the dog at 5pm. I hate when this happens; it goes beyond an energy slump and starts to depress me as well. I'm thinking about volunteering to take the pup out in the morning just so I can get some guaranteed fresh air at the start of my day.
9. Unwind before bed ~ I'll admit this is the one I have the most difficulty with, but I love the way it makes me feel when I do.  I like to have a cup of tea, read for a while, then wash up for bed.  I find I sleep more soundly, and wake up in the right frame of mind.
10. Get enough sleep ~ Seven and a half hours is my magic number.  I feel energized and not groggy.  I can tell a huge difference in my energy level even if I miss out on just 30 minutes.

So that's my list (see the printable checklist).  Anything you would add or change on yours?

dressing table styling

I've been looking for the perfect dressing table (aka vanity table) for a while now, and yesterday I found it!  It is the Cynthia table from Safavieh, and I love it for its white wash finish, gold pull handles, petite size, and feminine appeal.

And of course once I found it, I excitedly began thinking about how I would style it.  I think any dressing table needs to include a few key components, don't you?

lighting / seating / jewelry tree / vase / feather tray / candle / mirror

I quite like the look of these pieces together ~ do you?  It's ultra-girly, which is perfect for morning make-up.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to powder my nose. ;)

take care of yourselves people, puhlease.

So today, I have a story and a plea. It’s lengthy, but I hope you find it worthwhile to read. Up until this point, only my good friends and family have known that I was going through a bit of a rough spot, but yesterday I received some good news from doctors and decided it was time to share. I debated putting this all out here at first, but if my story can help just one more person, then it's worth sharing in my eyes.

Ok, so the story. Rewind to about two and a half years ago, when I went to the dermatologist to ensure I had picture perfect skin before my wedding. She spotted a mole she didn't like the looks of, and advised I have it removed. I basically begged her to let me ignore it until after my honeymoon, and agreed I'd get it taken care of upon my return.

I had a fantastic wedding and honeymoon, and when I returned, I didn't make the appointment with the surgeon as I'd promised. I was having too much fun enjoying life, and frankly just didn't feel susceptible to disease. It wasn't until this winter when I developed a rash from dry skin that the topic came up again. I was talking to my friends about how I needed to go to the dermatologist to get my rash taken care of, but was worried she'd be mad at me for not taking care of my mole. My friends urged me to see the doctor, and get both things taken care of once and for all. One of my friends even followed up with me a couple days later to make sure I made the appointment (yes, I have great friends!)

So I made the appointment. And my doctor immediately determined that I should have two moles removed and have biopsies performed. Sometimes they will do a “punch test” or scrape the mole to do a biopsy first before full removal, but I think with my history of being a run-away patient she didn’t trust me to return.  So I had the two moles cut out, and figured everything would be fine.
 
I had no idea what I was walking into at my follow-up appointment.  I was coming in to get the stitches removed; it was a routine nurse appointment, I wasn't even supposed to see my doctor. When she walked into the room and sat down is when I realized something was wrong.

To be honest that conversation is kind of a blur. She asked me if I knew what melanoma was, and I think I nodded as she showed me the lab reports. The mole on my back showed cells of melanoma in the first stage. She explained to me that I was very lucky to have caught the cancer this early (thank you friends!), but that they hadn't removed all of it and that I needed to have surgery to remove the surrounding area and ensure the cancer cells hadn't spread.

So I went home, suddenly terrified and not feeling invincible anymore.  I waited a week to have the surgery, so I could try to enjoy my birthday, and after the surgery had to wait another week wondering if the biopsy would be clear. I was scared, and for the first time I can remember in my life, felt completely 100% vulnerable.  I prayed a lot that week and tried to find peace that either way, I was on the path intended for me.

Yesterday I found out that the surgery was a success, and all the cancer cells have been removed. I cannot tell you the weight I feel that has been lifted. And with this good news, I wanted to share this with my readers and put in a plea to you.

So, my plea: 

My revelation was that no one is immune to bad things happening to them, and we all need to try to take care of ourselves the best we can. I BEG of you to be careful in the sun, tanning beds, etc. and see a doctor regularly for a skin check. I owe my friends a huge thank you; if we hadn't had that talk chances are I would have waited much longer to go to the doctor and could be in a very different position. As many of you readers become girlfriends, spouses, and parents, it is more important than ever to take care of ourselves and our families. We cannot be of help to anyone else if we do not first take care of ourselves.

I found this video to be an incredibly compelling message to take care of our skin:

Want to know what medical warning signs to look for?  Visit this page from the Cancer Research Institute.

Spicy Sauteed Cabbage Salad

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I spotted this recipe in Bon Appétit when I was in search of a warm wintry salad. I liked the fact it had beans in it, as I'm always in search of multiple sources of protein, and I really liked the fact it had a kick to it {in fact, I increased the heat by doubling the red pepper, so if you like less spice halve what I included in the recipe below}. We ate this twice in dinners last week, once alongside salmon, and then atop rice in a dish I made up on a whim. The fact that it is balanced by the acidity of lemon meant that I could get away with using it as a substitute for kimchi. I made jasmine rice, crisped bits of pork belly in a frying pan, fried up a couple eggs, and layered the rice, cabbage salad, pork belly and eggs together to form an utterly delightful comforting dinner. My only misstep was when the pup came into the kitchen with something in her mouth, causing a chaotic moment and some overdone eggs. But that aside, this will definitely be a salad I create again, and a dish I'll pair it with time and time again.

[yes the egg was overdone, but the meal was delightful]

To print a pdf version of this recipe, click here.

Happy Tasty Tuesday~

Making to-do lists and crossing them off

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I don't know about you, but I am a total list maker.  I make lists for work tasks, volunteer tasks, blog tasks, home chores, grocery shopping, and well, the list goes on.  I probably should have a list for my lists. And inevitably, with all this list making can sometimes come the overwhelming feeling of having just one too many items on your lists... or maybe more like 50 too many items.  In this day and age, where we have so much technology that asks for our immediate attention (the blinking smartphone! the email pop-ups! the several instant messaging systems we keep open all day long!), it's more important than ever to prioritize.  I'm by no means an expert, but I found (via Ashley, an awesome blogger gf) some expert advice that I plan to put to practice this week.

It's called the "priority tag method", and it involves prioritizing your tasks in one of four categories:

A - urgent and important
B - important, but not urgent
C - urgent, but not important
D - not urgent or important

Now this is a concept I can latch onto.  The thought is that the items you mark with 'A's should be focused on first, then 'B's, and so on.  I like it because it forces you to distinguish between what's truly important versus what may falsely seem to be a priority because it's urgent.  If you've ever stopped doing something important to read an email that just popped up, my bet is this method could work for you too. :)

Interested in learning more?  Read the full article here.

Now I'm off to make my Monday to-do list and tag each item A-D... but before I do, any tips you have to keeping your to-do lists manageable?  Do share.

P.S ~ A cute daily to-do list template you can print via Life's a Journal.

City Girl Review:: Longman & Eagle

amuse-bouche of scallops

bone marrow with bacon-shallot jam and pickled kumquat

buffalo sweetbreads, aerated ranch

pastrami-spiced pig head, sauerkraut gnocchi 

monkfish, celery root-apple puree, hedgehog mushrooms, brussel leaves, red wine veal reduction

crispy confit of pork belly, butternut risotto, soy chestnut broth

One of the benefits of creating and posting a yearly Dining Wish List is that friends inevitably want to join me and cross restaurants off the list together, which of course I love. Longman & Eagle was one such place, and on a Tuesday night, our motley crew set out to explore Chef Wentworth's undertaking.

Longman & Eagle quickly moved to the tippy top of my list of favorites, for its unique understanding of food and downright tasty flavors. Chef Wentworth masters the farm-to-table, nose-to-tail aesthetic with ease, and ultimately brings decadent and unique ingredients to diners at a price point we can understand.

And what's better, everything we ate here tasted impeccably. It is this kind of restaurant that I love ~ one which can take a high-end ingredient like foie, elevate the flavors and create a masterful dish, keep the roots humble and the approach, well, totally approachable. It is no wonder Longman & Eagle now has a long list of accolades, including a star from the Chicago Michelin Guide.

The food is inventive and sometimes whimsical, such as the buffalo sweetbreads which looked smartly like buffalo wings and ranch dip, allowing those with a discerning eye to just enjoy the flavors. The bone marrow, with its bacon-shallot jam, pickled kumquat, and sea salt all served with toast, was the smoothest, most balanced marrow I've had to date. And the pig's face in all its glory, sat atop a bed of beautiful sauerkraut gnocchi with just the right bite, had the table oooing and ahhing with delight. There was not one plate which left us disappointed, not one misstep in execution or concept to point to.

In fact, the difficulty of choosing an entree is my only gripe. How is one supposed to choose between the crispy pork belly in a puddle of butternut risotto and chestnut broth or the most tender monkfish with celery root-apple puree? Each of us ordered differently so we could share bites, but I'll be first to admit when it came time to share I had already settled into my monkfish and was quite content not to share a bit, thankyouverymuch.  I did to be a good sport, and found each dish made up for the lost bite of monk, proving the hands and minds in the kitchen are able to consistently execute impeccable food.

Longman & Eagle is a definite must-try for all walks of foodies, and should be repeatedly visited to discover the new items on their menu which are constantly evolving. This is a restaurant that understands food, with a Chef that understands flavor.

Longman & Eagle
2657 N. Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
reservations not accepted

Comfort Food at its finest

Today is going to be a little stressful (but my birthday yesterday was great; I will definitely post a dining recap soon!), and I can only hope that we will be able to have something as comforting as Gaslight Bar and Grill's mac + cheese flight for dinner tonight.  I made a trip there recently to check out this new menu item, and I have to say I felt gluttonous and utterly delighted at the same time.  I don't know about you all, but macaroni and cheese is the epitome of comfort food to me, and Gaslight has a new unique twist on the idea that accomplishes a couple of things.

For starters, food that is prepared multiple ways usually accomplishes an instant elevation of the dish, and this macaroni flight is no exception (there are exceptions, but this is not one of them.)  In addition, the choice to pair your mac and cheese trio with either a wine or beer flight is pretty genius.  I found myself coming back to the smoked cheddar mac paired with an earthy syrah because the duo was really delightful.  My favorite macaroni was definitely the brie, with roasted apples and caramelized onions, because it hit my weak spot for sweet and savory. And my favorite stand-alone wine was the tempranillo, so altogether I was grazing on each item pretty evenly.  It was a fun way to spend a Tuesday night, and an instant way to find comfort in food. Cheese + wine?  You're speaking my language.

I used to come to Gaslight quite often when I lived in the neighborhood, as I find it to be a great casual date spot or place for girlfriends to gather.  They make a mean salad and now also, a mean mac + cheese.

Romance is in the air, Romance is everywhere

Happy Valentine's Day!  Like it or hate it, the day is here.  Personally, I'd rather embrace it with cheer. I've always been a fan of the day where flowers, chocolate, lace, and love are celebrated.  To me it's never been about having one person to call your Valentine, it's about spreading the love to all you care about.

For those of you who will be doing something today to celebrate, what will you do?  And what will you wear?  I scored this pleated number from United Colors of Benetton last week and am excited to break it out tonight.  I love the etheral quality I think it has. I'm thinking rose gold jewellry and nude heels will be just the ticket to romance.  The husband is surprising me with our dining destination for the evening, because I love surprises, and it's also my birthday (but sshh, let's keep that between us).  Now you see why I like this day? :)

Happy Valentine's Day lovelies!

Quiet time

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How do you take time for yourself?  Are you a yogi, or a home cook, or a poet?  Do you get a weekly manicure, or go for a run, or read a book?

How do you like to spend your quiet time?  I've been thinking about this.  Even though I don't have kids, dog + husband does not = quiet time.  Quiet time for most of us, is something we have to create.

This week, I'm going to work on creating about 30 minutes a day of uninterrupted quiet time.  Just for me.  We'll see how I spend it. :)

That's my Monday Meditation ~

City Girl Review:: Farmhouse

check out the vintage Bevador

the trout was good, but the chicken was better

devilish fried cheese curds

It was a blustery Friday night when the husband and I jumped on the El and headed over to Farmhouse. Where a rundown Bar Louie used to stand, Farmhouse brings new life to Chicago Ave, and a new novel restaurant to Chicago altogether.

Farmhouse wanted their Midwestern roots to be obvious, and to accomplish this they've salvaged much of the restaurant from local Chicago homes, restaurants and the like. They also created a long menu of great Midwestern craft beer, and included some Michigan wine for good measure. While the owners are rumored to have anticipated more of a bar scene than restaurant for Farmhouse, they soon found out local ingredients fused into tasty dishes are also in high demand. 

With their daily and weekly specials displayed up on a chalkboard, and the menu sourcing high quality local purveyors, Farmhouse delivers on its mission. We started with the fried cheese curds because of the breathy words spoken about them, and they delivered in all their fried glory.

Next up for me was the trout, while the husband went with the doted upon Amish roasted chicken.  I was trying to balance the decadence of fried cheese curds with something a little bit kinder to my waistline, but come next time I think I will just embrace what Farmhouse does best:  comfort foods at their finest.  I was lucky to be able to snag a bite of the chicken, and found it to be just as insanely delicious and buttery as I’d heard it to be.  I wouldn’t normally go to a restaurant and order the chicken, but Farmhouse is my one exception.

We topped the evening off with the spiced fig and toffee bread pudding, and I was in dessert heaven.  Farmhouse makes for a great River North hangout spot, a tasty meal of comfort foods, and a great atmosphere to stay a while and try some of the different craft beers.

Check this one off the Dining List. :)

Cauliflower Curry Soup

I was in need of some homemade soup on Sunday, and stumbling upon this recipe thought I'd found just the ticket.  What was created however was far different than what I was expecting, and in a very good way ~ it's a very elegant soup, rich and velvety in taste without an ounce of cream, with each spoonful starting out subtle in flavor and then intensifying as the heat of the curry and cayenne run across your tongue.  It has interesting complexity and would be great for a dinner party, or with some small changes / adaptations, I could easily see this on a restaurant menu from a place that likes to surprise the tastebuds.

To print a pdf version of this recipe, click here.

Happy Tasty Tuesday!

Monday Meditation ~ Living Healthfully

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For those of you just catching up here, Monday Meditation is my time on the blog to set a new intention for the week. Last Monday I wanted to focus on spending my time wisely, and I'm happy to report that last week was very productive, in large part due to the focused attention on how I was spending my time. The flip side of this however was that my week was so productive, that come Friday evening I just about melted onto my couch with a big glass of wine and, perhaps a tear or two, because I felt overworked and completely overwhelmed.  It inevitability seems the more things you check off your to-do list, the more room you make for new items to be added.  And if you take no breaks and have no chance to take a step back and just think, your to-do list can seemingly swallow you up.  (Or at least, these were my thoughts as I nestled into my couch cushions Friday night.)  Which brings me to this week's Meditation.

This week, my goal is to live life healthfully. What does this mean? To me it means with balance and thoughtfulness.  Balance between work, relaxation, and exercise. Thoughtfulness about how I treat my body ~ healthy foods, enough sleep, and water.  I'd like to take a step back from the crazy hamster wheel we call life, to regain a sense of health and balance.

What things do you incorporate in your life to maintain your balance and composure? How do you live life healthfully?  I'd love to hear.