Feeling Green

I have re-found a love for juicing! 

I think juicing can be really intimidating at first! What do you juice? Will it taste good? How do I even use a juicer? These were my big questions at first. With Pinterest as my guide I found some good recipes that wouldn’t leave me with the taste of grass in my mouth.

When I first started juicing one of my biggest complaints was how long the process was. Finding the right veggies and fruits, juicing them all (with pealing and cutting before) and then cleaning! It took for-ever. Not ideal for a girl on the go! I talked about this frustration with a cousin of mine this past Christmas and he mentioned that he freezes his juice, fabulous idea! And just like that I loved juicing again.

Here is my current juice concoction:

4 large cucumbers

1 bundle of celery

1 bag of kale

2 grapefruits

2 green apples

Once I juiced everything, I mixed it all together and evenly divided it for I have my juice lunch for the next 2 weeks!

In the morning I take my frozen juice out of the freezer to let it defrost and then add about a cup of coconut water when I am ready to drink!

Let me know what some of your favorite juicing recipes are!

-A

Quick and Easy Stir-Fry

On Wednesday we went on a little adventure, did some blog-talk and realized that we were super hungry. After much thought we decided on an easy lunch time stir-fry. All you need are a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge/pantry.

In ours we decided on shrimp, edamame, broccoli, and green bell peppers.

All you really need to do is chop everything up (or use frozen veggies), cook over medium heat, add your spices, add your protein, and serve over rice with your favorite sauce!

Veggies: bell pepper, mushrooms, broccoli, onion, asparagus, carrots, edamame, water chestnuts, baby carrots

Protein: chicken, shrimp, pork, beef, tofu

Sauces: siracha, soy sauce, sweet and sour, lime& ginger.

Enjoy!

-A&K

Banana Pecan Raisin Muffins

Sundays are a time of relaxing, reality TV watching, and prepping for the next week. I try to not make definite plans for Sundays because I know I will end up breaking them. I do whatever my heart desires on that day; sometimes that means waking up early for the gym, other times it means having a movie marathon with the roomie. This Sunday I woke up with a huge urge to bake! I had some old bananas that I wanted to use so I thought some banana pecan raisin muffins for the next week would be perfect. I love banana muffins because you can really add anything to them!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup of flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 bananas (older bananas are better)

1 egg beaten

1/3 cup canola oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup raisins

1/3 cup pecans

How To:

Preheat the over to 350 degrees and place cupcake liners in muffin tin (will make 12 large muffins)

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl mash bananas, then add egg, oil, and vanilla and mix well.

Combine wet and dry ingredients then add in raisins and pecans.

Fill muffin tins and bake for 18-24 minutes, muffins will be done when the tops are golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.

Flour first

Dry ingredients

Bananas

Mix it all up!

Perfectly golden brown muffins – ready for the week!

Add some tea and your favorite fashion magazine for the perfect Sunday activity!

Happy Baking!

-A

Drink it up!

When you first turn 21 going to a bar can be both exciting and a little daunting. What do I order? How do I order? What are some good drinks? Well here is a go-to guide for drinking out at bars and restaurants!

Dive Bar

When you go to your local dive bar think of a couple simple drinks to make your signature. Most of the time a spirt (like Vodka, Gin, or Rum) mixed with soda, juice, or tonic water is the way to go. Our go to favorites include gin and tonic, rum and coke, rum and ginger ale, and vodka cranberry. When ordering, the bartender might ask you what type of alcohol you want (top shelf, well, or a specific brand). We always go with well, it is the cheapest, but still tastes just as good. Additionally, a beer is always a good way to go at your local bar, see if they have any local brews on tap.

Swanky Evening 

If you are headed to a nicer bar with friends for a special occasion it is nice to have a go-to special drink. Ashley’s go to drink is a cosmopolitan, while Kira’s is a mojito. If you are at a nicer bar many bartenders can create you a special drink.  Just tell them your favorite liquor or taste. Kira likes rum and ginger, or some thing fresh or springy (think basil, mint, cucumber). These simple suggestions can lead a great bartender to a make you a great drink.

Restaurant Drinking 

If you are going to a restaurant first check if there is happy hour. See if they have any specials, sometimes certain restaurants will offer 1/2 off a glass of wine on certain days, or pitcher specials. It is always good to ask about specials as many waiters will not always bring it up. Lastly, think about the restaurant and what their specialty is, at an Italian restaurant they will have great wine, when you’re at pub probably some great beer, many restaurants will also have seasonal cocktails you can take advantage of. Keep in mind what you are eating at the restaurant as well as you’ll want to pair your drink.

A night out at District in Oakland

-A&K