All about my adventures with cooking, crafts, and travel
Breakfast will never be the same once you make Copy Cat Starbucks Sous Vide Egg Bites in the Instant Pot. You’ll love to make them yourself and for less $$$
Hi! I am a total “Pot Head”
You might be a “Pot Head” when you pack up your Instant Pot and take it with you while traveling. ha!
…
I am going to SLC to attend Everything Food Conference in just over 2 weeks. To say I am excited is an understatement.
…
This epic brunch is brought to you by the incredible edible egg.
No, it’s not a sponsored post, but it sure uses a bunch of eggs. ha!!!
…
I am documenting my second Whole 30 journey to help me see how far I’ve come from my first Whole30 (Feb 2015) to this one (April 2015). Plus, I don’t want to fall into any food ruts. Hopefully this will keep me inspired through the whole process. I’m looking forward to the transformation in how I approach food, cook with it, and enjoy it. Check out all my Whole30 related posts HERE from why I did my first Whole30, why I am doing this one, and food diaries.
Tuesday, April 7th 2015
I got the change to work from home in the afternoon. I love that! I was able to make a fresh lunch. No leftovers for me! Man, leftovers get so boring. It was nice to have something ‘fancy’.
Breakfast
Scrambled eggs with sweet potato has, guac
We don’t have scrambled eggs often. Hardly ever. I got an herb packet while I was in Seattle so I am going to have to use that next time as they were good.
Lunch
Sauteed fish over salad with tomatoes, red onion, avocado, TJ’s verde salsa
I threw this together quickly once I got back from my final punchlist of a project. It felt like a celebratory lunch.
Dinner
Chicken breast with baby zucchini over lightly dressed greens
Price really likes these baby zucchini, I should get bags and bags of these when I go shopping there. They are quick to prepare and taste so good. I like that they don’t get very watery like how ‘adult’ zucchini tend to get.
Wednesday, April 8th 2015
Woohoo! 1 week through. Today was a rough day, not because of Whole30 exactly, but because I am a moron. Such a moron.
Breakfast
Spinach and Sweet Potato Crustless Quiche served with quacamole and salsa verde; venti cold brew with some cinnamon sprinkled on top
I made my quiche look like cake!!! It has quacamole frosting and a salsa finishing sauce. And I’ve lost my damn mind. It didn’t taste like cake. It didn’t trick me. It just made me more annoyed. I dunno. ha!
I grabbed this cold brew on the way into work. I was so excited that I had a moment to get a coffee and to try cold brew. I sprinkled some cinnamon on top. It was so good, but then…
Lunch
Salad- mixed greens with 2 hardboiled egg whites, sweet potato hash, (leftover) chicken breast, 1/2 avocado, with homemade ranch
I was in need of this salad. I felt so off from the caffeine bomb from the cold brew. I would have preferred something like a burger and fries, like when you ‘soak up’ booze after a night of drinking, but my salad was my only real option.
Snack
I had a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE headache from my caffeine crash. I thought I was going to throw up on the bus ride home. I had a bunch of water and this bag and started to feel better. UGH.
Dinner
Roasted Chicken with roasted green beans and grape tomatoes with a ‘special sauce’
I started to roast the chicken but then had to go to the gym so then it was Price’s job to take over. He finished it up and broke it down for our dinners and lunches coming up. It was really yummy.
I made a ‘special sauce’ with some homemade mayo, Franks Red Hot, and spices. So good!
Food Swap!
My friend Kellie is also doing Whole30 with us. She swapped (Puerto Rican) sofrito for mayo from me. I can’t wait to use it!
Exercise
I went to the gym!! I was supposed to meet with a trainer after work to create a program but he was sink or something so I met with the assistant manager who was nice and showed me some arms stuff to do. Looking forward to meeting with a train to create a real program and doing it.
Thursday, April 9th 2015
No coffee for me today after yesterday’s mishap. ugh!!
Breakfast
Spinach and Sweet Potato Crustless Quiche served with quacamole
We didn’t like this quiche much. Maybe it was the sweet potato but not our favorite. Blah!
Lunch
Clementine with chicken breast and string beans, homemade mayo
My lunch felt boring but it was really good. I feel like I take too big of a serving of chicken but if I don’t eat much then I don’t feel full. And I don’t think it’s a volume thing as a protein thing.
Clementines are da bomb…
Dinner
Stir fry of shaved pork & baby bok choy on cauliflower rice
I really like cauliflower rice now. I don’t miss regular rice. I do like sticky, tart sushi rice but regular rice- blah.
I need to get more coconut aminos. It was missing form this dish. I have to be better prepared next time!
____________________
What are your favorite Whole30 recipes? Please share!
Are you considering doing Whole30? Give it a try!
I am documenting my second Whole 30 journey to help me see how far I’ve come from my first Whole30 (Feb 2015) to this one (April 2015). Plus, I don’t want to fall into any food ruts. Hopefully this will keep me inspired through the whole process. I’m looking forward to the transformation in how I approach food, cook with it, and enjoy it. Check out all my Whole30 related posts HERE from why I did my first Whole30, why I am doing this one, and food diaries.
Saturday, April 4th, 2015
The weekends are hard for me. I don’t experience the time crunch that I do during the work week, necessarily, but I want to snack more. And I miss the big carb-y breakfasts. I want a waffle damn it!!!
Breakfast
2 Over-easy eggs over sweet potato hash
I wonder how long it will take for Price to bitch about sweet potatoes… ha! I gotta focus on changing things up for breakfast.
Update: First Sweet Potato comment: Day 9. ha!!
Lunch
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas over cauliflower rice, with tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, and guacamole
I whipped up a batch of cauliflower rice as it’s so easy to do, and it would be a great base to the pulled pork. Nice and filling.
Dinner
Adiele’s Chicken and Apple Sausage with sauteed broccoli and kale sprouts
This was a 1 pot meal. Perfectly low maintenance and quick. I first cooked the veggies, then added the sausage. Price had 3 sausages and I had 2.
Sunday, April 5th, 2015
Easter!! I wanted all the chocolate candies! Gimme all the Peeps and Cadbury eggs!!
It was such a great day with family. Plus, they were so sweet to make the effort to make compliant food. Awesome.
Craving: Buttery rich coffee cake with tons of cinnamony crumb on top. OMG couldn’t stop thinking on it.
Brunch
Crudite with homemade ranch dip, hashbrowns, scramble eggs, buffalo chicken wings
I made the crudite with fresh and flash steamed veggies. I made the buffalo wings too- Price’s favorite! I jsut made a big batch of ranch dip and used it for both. So good. perfect nosh food. We also had eggs & hashbrowns that Catherine made for us. yum!!!
Dinner
Bun-less hamburger with sweet potato oven fries. Burger served with lettuce, tomato, guac, mustard, homemade mayo, Frank’s Red Hot
This was such a good dinner to end the weekend. The burger was great as it had all the same ingredients I’d normally eat on a burger, just no bun! Plus, I made baked sweet potato fries. They barely had any oil. I just lightly misted them with olive oil and baked them at 450 for 15 minutes.
Side note: I love hash but the fries were so good as I used less oil than I normally use to make hash. Plus, I ate much slower as I ate them individually, instead of inhaling them with a fork.
Monday, April 6th, 2015
Glad we are 5 days in, 1/6th of the way through! I feel good with the progress. I like this challenge.
I have noticed that I am having trouble getting up in the morning. Not sure why it’s so difficult now when I’m getting more sleep than I was when I was nursing. Maybe it’s a deeper sleep so it’s hard to get out of it?
Breakfast
2 eggs over easy on a bed of sweet potato hash and asparagus, lots of Frank’s
I should have peeled the asparagus, it was still a little too woody for my preference. But it was a decent breakfast.
Almost lunch snack
100 calorie mini Lara Bar- Apple Pie
These are great to have on hand when I am starting to crash and I’ve done a loop around the office and have had some tea for a pick me up, to stay hydrated.
Lunch
Salad made of mixed greens, tomatoes, asparagus, some hardboiled egg, with homemade ranch dressing, guac
I managed to eat some yolk of the hardboiled egg. Amazing. They are so gross to me but I wanted to try to get over it. Going forward I will still stick with the egg whites but at least I tried it.
I love this ranch dressing!!!!
Dinner
Spiralized Turnip, Mushroom, and Tomato Risotto
This was really good. It called for 1 Cup of grated cheese in the recipe but I skipped it making it vegan and complaint. We both really enjoyed it. It would make this again, maybe add some sauteed kale too! (and def make it post Whole30 with cheese!!)
____________________
What are your favorite Whole30 recipes? Please share!
Are you considering doing Whole30? Give it a try!
I am documenting my Whole 30 journey to help me see how far I’ve come and to keep me inspired through the whole process. I’m looking forward to the transformation in how I approach food, cook with it, and enjoy it. Read why taking on this challenging dietary adventure is so important to me HERE.
Sunday, March 1st
It was a good/bad food day. Good in that it was Whole30 foods, but bad in timing of eating. I grazed most of the morning and early afternoon picking at a recipe I was trying to develop for the blog. At least dinner was awesome.
Brunch
(Failed) sweet potato waffles with a berry sauce (no sugar!)
I was trying to make my waffled hashbrowns but with sweet potatoes and it just didn’t work out well so we ate the waffles that sorta survived.
Dinner
Salad with steak, with a homemade mayo based ‘ranch-y’ dressing, topped off with salsa and guac (Holy Guacamole)
This was so good, and not just because it was delicious, but because we all sat down to dinner together. It’s pretty rare for us to eat with Autumn as she eats so early (5.30) but we get out act together today and had an early dinner together. So nice. I really need to put that effort in on the weekends. Plus, she loved the steak. kept asking for more and more, as well as humus. Adorable!
Monday, March 2nd
In the home stretch! I felt good all day and then crashed and had a banana at night as a snack/dessert. It was really good then but annoyed with myself later. I need to get better about fighting urges like that. Blah.
Breakfast
Eggs over a potato hash with salsa and guac
I overcooked my eggs and was pissed so I made myself new eggs. Annoyed to waste food, but I should at least be able to enjoy the eggs I am eating, no?!?!?
Lunch
Salad (romaine, carrots, tomatoes) with some yummy leftover steak, with EVOO & vinegar dressing. Almonds.
Awesome salad. I got the almond from a job walk through. They were giving them out to promote heart health instead of junky snacks. Love that.
Dinner
Leftover Roasted Chicken with potatoes and green beans
We finished up the chicken from the Mayo Crusted Roasted Chicken that I made on Saturday night. It was basic but quick and it works some nights just to get dinner out of the way.
Dessert
Banana with some almond butter and a sprinkling of cinnamon
Super hungry. I shouldn’t have given in but I’m all over the place with being hungry/not. In a moment of weakness I grabbed the banana. Kinda pissed about it but I have been weird/blah/whatever since getting my period post-baby & post-breastfeeding. My body is just freaking out some days. AHHH!!!
Tuesday, March 3rd
It’s our last day!!! Kinda exciting, kinda bittersweet. I know I can extend it but I need to take a break from it to test things out and just have a damn cookie. It was a crazy busy day but a good one.
Breakfast
Egg scramble with mushrooms, topped off with salsa and guac
I’m tired of eggs, I don’t care anymore. I am very thankfully for picking up the organic salsa from Costco though.
Lunch
Mixed greens salad with berries and prosciutto, EVOO & vinegar dressing
This has to be my favorite salad, at least currently. I freaking love the berries in the greens. Nice mix with the salty prosciutto
Snack
Cherry Pie Lara Bar
Lunch was great but it left me hungry. I need to up the protein in my salads.
Dinner
Chicken skewers with mixed veggies (peppers & mushrooms) in a sunbutter sauce
Price made this as I was at a planning board meeting (my first one!!) so he made dinner for us. He was bummed he didn’t make a dipping sauce for the chicken but I was starving after the meeting and going to Trader Joe’s (for Autumn’s goat milk). It was really good. I can’t wait for all the snow around our grill to thaw and for Price to start grilling again!
____________________
I’m so proud of us for doing Whole30 and that we did it together. I know that this experience has taught us both about our eating and drinking habits. It’s been very eye-opening. I’ve noticed changes throughout the process about cravings,
I’ll do a follow-up with our lives post Whole30 soon!
I am documenting my Whole 30 journey to help me see how far I’ve come and to keep me inspired through the whole process. I’m looking forward to the transformation in how I approach food, cook with it, and enjoy it. Read why taking on this challenging dietary adventure is so important to me HERE.
Thursday, February 26th
People are commenting on all the weight I have been losing. I am happy it’s noticable and I feel better about it as it’s been a signifcant amount – about 55+ pounds. I am looking forward to weighing myself when Whole30 is done with to see what I lost in this month.
I see a big change in Price as well. It’s nice that the work involved with sticking to Whole30 is paying off. Of course, it’s more than just losing weight but it is a big factor for us.
Breakfast
Chia Pudding (made with complaint cashew milk) with blueberries and chopped pecans
I’ve missed variety in breakfast, like having oatmeal or a quinoa bowl, so this helps change things up from eggs, eggs, eggs. But it doesn’t get cold, like I run the risk of eggs getting cold if the morning or crazy. Also, its nice to have it all prepped out in the morning as making eggs can be a pain in my ass.
Lunch
Salad made with romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers topped off with prosciutto, EVOO & vinegar based dressing
It was simple and got the job done.
Dinner
A baked seet potato (actually made in the microwave) topped off with pulled pork carnitas, diced avocado, and some garlicly mayo
Price didn’t eat all of his. I ate all of mine. I felt fat…
Friday, February 27th
Today started off well but ended poorly. We got a BIG HUGE bill from the stupid nutrionist that we had to take Autumn to (per her Dr’s suggestion & referal). The one we didn’t even want to take her to because we aren’t worried about her low weight has she eats well and eats healthy foods, but we took her anyway and got a big bill for like $860. WTF. I called insurance to check it and found out we would be getting another for about $150 or so related to the appointment. I wanted to light the hospital on fire and punch them in the face as they ran out. At that moment I was glad we were doing Whole30, or I would have split a bottle of wine with Price and bitched and bitched about the bill.
Breakfast
A scramble made of eggs and potato hash
It was boring. I wanted a bagel.
Lunch
Salad with pulled pork carnitas & an avocado, then I had a Lara Bar
The salad was on the light side. I did eat most of it before taking a picture, but it was still a pretty small salad. And salad is a stretch as it was just some romaine for the pulled pork. Like the day before, it got the job done.
Dinner
Aidell’s Chicken sausage with broccoli
I’d say this was similar to a stir fry but I’d have to say that I miss having a rice or quino base to it, mostly quinoa. It was good but boring as it was basically just sausage and brocolli, but it was friday night and I was feeling lazy about cooking. Normally I’d have just ordered pizza. Umm, pizza…
Saturday, February 28th
The biggest change in things is our weekend breakfasts and my approach to snack food. I’d previously make something like pancakes or waffles or go out to get a bagel or donuts. I miss all of that but it’s nice that the breakfasts don’t feel so heavy. I’m happiest that my snacking has been eliminated. Esp, when we are out, like I’d happily eat a sample at Costco, but now I can’t/won’t and that definitely helps out with calorie cutting.
Breakfast
2 over easy eggs over a hash made of potato, Aidell’s sausage, and tomatoes
I used the extra sausage link I had from the night before and added it to a diced potato and I then threw in some grape tomatoes too. I love blistered tomatoes- so freaking good. The eggs were nice and runny.
Lunch
Apple with some Almond Butter
I wasn’t really hungry from a big breakfast and just being busy meant that I’d eat lunch at 3.30, and I knew we’d be having a great dinner so I didn’t want to ruin my appetite for it.
Dinner
Mayo Crusted Roasted Chicken with accompanying roasted veggies (carrots, potatoes, onions) and string beans
I need to roast chickens more often in general, but this Mayo Crusted Roasted Chicken is awesome. I’m thinking of changing up some of the spices next time just to have some fun with it, but it’s a great base recipe to work with.
____________________
We’re in the home stretch!!!! It’s exciting to be so close to the end. Truthfully, part of me wants to continue but part of me is really glad for it to come to a close as it has been so limiting and I need some variety in things. Granted the cooking is fairly simple as it’s what I hae time for. Plus, I want a god damn cookie! Plus, I want to actually enjoy going to Seattle and doing Whole30 while out there would make things boo-hoo boring.
I haven’t felt any big changes- no extra energy, no decreased joint paint, no less aches- but I didn’t have anything that was greatly effecting me, like other people who have stuff like arthritis or eczema. No tiger blood for me,but I didn’t have a big fog in the start either. I’m still tired, but I think that is my nature and I just need more sleep. Clone me and I think I will start to feel better. ha!
Oh, I am so glad it’s Friday!!!
It has been such a busy week, but such a great week.
On Monday I went to dinner with my friend Allie, who also had a baby last year. On Christmas to be exact! It was such a good night with dinner, drinks, and lots of catching up. It’s always so good to be able to share news, ideas, and funny stories to the point where you have tears in your eyes.
Allie is the kind of person who you feel you’ve known for decades but have only know each other a short period of time. She is wrapping up her degree to be in social work. I think she’ll he really successful as she has this great charm about her, which will help her communicate with her clients.
We’re both heading back to our guys’ hometown for the 4th of July so I’m sure we’ll get to hang there. And probably have some wine. And laugh until we cry again.
Oh, how is it already the end of June?!?! The month has breezed by! This just means that this is the last of my chess pies for the month of June!
So every week Price asked me what Chess Pie was and I’d say “I dunno, but it sure is sugary!” Super helpful, no?
Well, a little wiki later and ta-da! I know what a Chess Pie is! It’s a sugary custard pie that has it’s roots in England but has now become a Southern thing. And when you read the recipe and think ‘cornmeal, really?’ you’ll now know that it’s no mistake, there is cornmeal in the filling. But I swear you wouldn’t even know it.
All of the Chess Pies that I made were sweet but this was swaaaa-eeeaaattt! Got it? I’d say that you should skip the 8 slice cutting, and just go to 12-16 slices. Because gang, sugar. But it’s so good that you can get over the cavity you’ll have after eating it.
The brown sugar gives it a nice caramel flavor that isn’t over the top. It’s subtle so you know it’s there but it’s not all up in your face. I think it’s nice that it sets it apart from the other pies for that reason.
Makes a 9″ pie
Ingredients
Process
Sourced from Twirl and Taste
As part of my Monday Munchies series, I will feature a different eatery for a review on the first and third Monday of every month. Hope you enjoy!
____________________
Oh man, I love going to Local 149.
I love the food. I love the drinks. I love the decor.
I’ve gone for work outings. I’ve gone for birthday celebrations. I’ve enjoyed dinner and drinks. And for brunch and drinks. Ah, drinks. 🙂
I had been thinking about going to Local 149 for the past month. I was craving a good brunch and had been thinking of Local 149 since I had gone there back in October with my mom when she surprised me when we came up from Florida for my baby shower.
On this recent brunch outing Price and I enjoyed some Bloody Mary’s. The Bloody Mary ($10) has a homemade horseradish tomato juice base. They came garnished with an olive, a slice of pepperoni, and a peppadew pepper. Their Bloody Mary is really good but I like mine with more lemon juice- just my personal preference.
I am looking forward to the next time I go and trying the Irish Breakfast ($10). The Irish whiskey, cereal milk, amaretto, and cold-brewed coffee sounds irresistable. I just love whiskey and amaretto. And combined… sign me up!
I had suggested that we kick off brunch with the Mac and Cheese Fritters ($7) but Price suggested the Crispy Beignet Bag ($7). Being so close to Mardi Gras I was sold on the idea of some beignets!
These are not like the beignets we had at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. Those were big pillowy beignets, but these were little beignet nuggets. Very different than what we were expecting but still very good!
As soon as these little beignet nuggest are out of the fryer they were tossed into a bag with a cinnamon and sugar mixture. Then to take thing to the next level, they were given a generous sprinkling of powdered sugar before being served to you. So yummy.
Price had an order of the Chicken and Waffles ($17). A huge crisp sweet waffle made for a great pedestal for some crispy, crunchy fried chicken. The chicken breast, thigh, and drumstick were all very juicy and tender. But what tops it off is that the Chicken and Waffles are served with warm maple syrup, a warm nutmeg butter, and apricot jam. The nutmeg added a bit of spice to the butter.
The best way to eat this is to cut a piece of syrup drenched waffle, then put a bit of butter and jam on the waffle. Okay, got that? Then you rip off a piece of chicken and stab your fork through the chicken and waffle and take a big bite. Enjoy!
Now the thing that I had been craving was the Texas in Southie ($12). It all starts with a slice of buttery texas toast that is surrounded with a generous portion of corned beef hash, that is packed full with seasoned homefries.All of that is then topped off with a fried egg and hollandaise sauce. Glorious.
The dish comes with a sunny side up egg but I prefer mine over-easy so I requested that instead. The egg was so runny, soo sunshine yellow happy. Mixing together the runny yolk with Hollandaise and then scooping up some hash and swooping it through the sauce is such a perfect bite. Try it, trust me.
Now that was an awesome brunch!
Be sure to arrive right after Local 149 opens at 11 if you don’t have a reservation, or just be flexible to wait. And just maybe, you can try to snag one of the tables by the fireplace! I’d totally request that when making a reservation.
149 P street
South Boston, MA
617 269.0900
Brunch on Saturday and Sunday 11am-3pm
Inspired by spanakopita, this Easy Greek Spinach Quiche is loaded with spinach and feta. It’s like your taste buds traveled to Greece!
Quiche makes for a wonderful meal you can eat all day long. Enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s a versatile meal that is is yummy and adaptable.
… 
When Price and I were on our Babymoon in the Florida Keys we found a place called The Stuffed Pig and absolutely fell in love with it for breakfast. In the 4 mornings that we were there we ate there twice. So yeah, we loved it!
The Stuffed Pig is a fun open air restaurant that features down-home fresh cooking. It’s a simple place with plastic chair with a gravel ‘flooring’. Pick up a laminated menu or check out the specials on the chalkboard to select some damn good breakfast or lunch. And be sure to say hi to the cats that roam around the property.
Shrimp & Grits
Grilled shrimp w/Bacon & Cheddar on Grits, 2 Eggs, Toast $12.00
On the first morning we went there I got the Shrimp and Grits. So much food!! I skipped the toast and just dove right into the rest. I took the time to take the shrimp off the skewers and then took the tails off so I could get a shrimp with every bite of cheesy grits and eggs.
I made a friend on the first day. Tigger the cat was very friendly so she rubbed up all against the belly bump and kneaded the napkins I had on my lap. Then sat on my lap while I ate, I think she was hoping I’d share some shrimp!
Price also enjoyed one of the breakfast specials that had a pancake, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, and toast. Basically, a half portion of their World Famous Pig’s Breakast.
As well, they have $2 mimosas and $3 Bloody Mary’s!!! I was so jealous of Price as he enjoyed them with his breakfasts. I figure it is just another reason for us to go back- when I’m not pregnant- to enjoy their great food and very, very affordable drinks!
Sausage and Gravy Eggs Benedict
Of course when I saw they had a Sausage and Gravy Eggs Benedict on the special’s menu I had to get it.
It’s a great combo of 2 great breakfast plates. It was a change up for me since I love Hollandaise sauce so it was a big departure for me not to have that when having Eggs Benedict. But I embraced the change and really enjoyed the special.
As well, instead of the typical English Muffins the Eggs Benedict was set upon freshly made biscuits. They biscuits were really tender and soft. They became a great sponge to soak up the sausage gravy and runny egg yolks. Then a sausage patty was set upon each biscuit to make this super sausage-y. That’s right double sausage!!
The side of homefries were great as they were well seasoned with the onions they were cooked with and from some of the char they had from the griddle. It was really good to mix them into the sausage gravy.
Biscuits– 17/20 pts
Sausage– 17/20 pts
Poached Egg– 22/25 pts
Sausage Gravy– 23/25 pts
Homefries– 8/10 pts
Total: 87/100 pts
3520 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
(305) 743-4059
Mon-Sat: 5am-2pm Sun: 6am-12pm
Cash Only
