3 Minute Salsa

Next to ketchup, salsa currently tops the charts as America’s favorite condiment. Not only is salsa versatile, adding spice and freshness to dishes ranging from eggs to pizza, but provides a serving of vegetables as well. Up until this weekend I probably purchased at least a jar of salsa every week, it’s that good, and I eat it that much. I knew recipes existed for salsa I could make myself, but it was just expensive to purchase tomatoes for $2.99 a pound when I could buy a jar of salsa for that price. A friend introduced me to salsa made from canned tomatoes and Rotel this weekend. The great thing about this recipe is that it is a semi-homemade recipe, which according to Sandra Lee, is 50% fresh ingredients combined with canned ingredients to create something completely delicious and super easy. Last night I made this salsa and with the end results, I will probably never be buying a jar of salsa again – it is that easy and tastes so much better. In an effort to eat healthier, less processed foods, I am cooking meals ahead of time and packing them up to avoid running through the drive thru or picking up lean cuisines in bulk. The best thing about making this from scratch is that it has no chemicals or added sugars, plus you can regulate the level of heat so it is accessible to everyone. Try this recipe and I guarantee you won’t be eating the stuff from the supermarket anymore.

3 Minute Salsa

Ingredients:
1 jalapeno, seeded or not, depending on heat level you desire
½ small onion, diced
1 or 2 garlic cloves
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 can Rotel
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper

Directions:
Dice small onion, jalapeno and garlic clove, add to blender. Add remaining ingredients to blender. Pulse until smooth consistency is reached. Pour into party dish and enjoy with chips, tortillas or any other tasty thing you like to go with salsa.

The Best Hummus in Dallas

Dining at Café Izmir changes your perspective on Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine. With dishes like garlic infused hummus, freshly prepared pita bread and spicy Eegra, you won’t regret trying this eatery. Falling into a food rut seems like a fairly common issue for me, I usually wait until I can’t wait anymore before going to eat somewhere, and by that time finding a new place seems like it isn’t worth the effort. But if I plan ahead to branch out, I almost always discover a new favorite dish. Because I love free things, I make sure to sign up for every discounted site including Groupon, Gilt City, Thrillist and ScoutMob, among others. ScoutMob gives you a 50% discount for certain places if you use during certain days. One such deal expired the next day, so feeling adventurous, Justin and I headed out the door to sample the acclaimed restaurant Café Izmir, who supposedly serves the “Best Hummus in Dallas” according to Yelp.com and “The Observer”.

Cafe Izmir hummus, aka, the best hummus ever!

Everyone who submitted reviews of Café Izmir complained about the valet parking situation, but in reality, anywhere worth going in Dallas will bring with it parking issues, this place is no worse than the rest. Although we did wait about twenty minutes for a table, the staff was very friendly and even gave me a complimentary glass of wine. To start off, we ordered hummus, Eegra, (a warm, spicy eggplant and tomato dish), marinated baby portabellas and piping hot pita bread. The hummus hype was not exaggerated, it really had the consistency of butter, I enjoy hummus but am often put off by the gritty texture. I have no idea what the chefs in Café Izmir do to those chickpeas, but it was the creamiest, most delicious hummus I have ever eaten. When added to the Eegra, the creaminess took on a hint of spicy tomato quality; it is bar none the best hummus of my life. Between wondering the secret behind the hummus and the contents of the mushroom marinade, the meat items really passed over me. I enjoyed the lamb roll and this creation called Piroshki, which consisted of spiced ground beef and goat cheese wrapped in a tortilla, grilled to perfection. When I return to Café Izmir, I know what I will be ordering; I only wish I could buy it in bulk…

My Love Affair With Sam's Club

Sam's Club, a bargain shopper's dream

Bargain shopping is what I live for, the greatest thrill in life is finding a great deal. Those who know me know that I am a determinedly frugal person, which is why my bulk buying should come as no surprise to anyone. Buying essential items in bulk saves money, shopping time and bargain hunting, all in one great warehouse-sized establishment where the samples are complimentary and the deals are never ending. From a young age, my mother instilled in me the ability to quickly calculate the best products for my money, now that doesn’t mean buying cheap things in place of expensive things, rather it means making sure that the products you spend money on will last, thereby getting the most value for your money. For example, I could go out and buy 2 black tanks from Forever 21 and only spend $10, but you can rest assured that those shirts won’t last beyond two or three washes at best. The better alternative would be to spend $30 at a place like Talbots and know that the one shirt will wash well, wear well and ultimately save you money and time in the long run.


By successfully learning which items to buy in bulk and which ones to purchase at a local grocery store will save you invaluable time and help you avoid throwing away uneaten food well past its edible stage. Follow the following tips and you’ll become armed with the ability to save yourself the headache of sorting through coupons, ads and the agony of tossing out moldy fruit.

Tip #1 - Purchase non-perishable items in serious bulk
Buy essential items like paper goods, saran wrap, household cleaners and socks that won’t perish, that way you can purchase them in large quantities without taking the risk of not using them before they spoil.

Tip #2 - Decide which foods you use most-and only buy those!
Often times, going to a warehouse store can cause buying mania; everything seems like such a great deal, why wouldn’t you buy a gallon of pickles when they only cost five dollars? Take a breath and calculate how many times a week you actually eat the food you are buying, fresh fruit at a warehouse will rot just as fast as fruit from the grocery store. If you buy 5 pounds of apples, eat 5 pounds of apples, or you haven’t saved any money and you will have wasted food in the process.


Tip #3 - Inspect fresh produce before purchasing
Because the produce available in bulk usually comes pre-packaged, make sure to examine the contents and stay away from bruised or discolored fruits. With avocados, make sure to squeeze them before buying a five pound bag or you’ll be forced to whip up an enormous batch of guacamole.


Tip #4 - Keep an eye on the prices
Don’t let yourself be fooled by all the good deals you are getting by letting your super saver self talk you into buying everything in sight. Keep a running tally of the total so you won’t reach the register only to discover the cost of your supplies is more than your monthly car payment.

Tip #5 - Take advantage of the samples, but…
You pay for the membership, you might as well enjoy the benefit of tasting the inventory. That being said, just because you taste something yummy, that does not mean you need to buy it immediately! The beauty of sampling in a warehouse is that those products they are pushing will still be on the shelves tomorrow. Take some samples, wander around savoring them and really think about how often you would eat the food before making an impulse purchase. I know from experience, this is how I wound up with a carton of mini cheesecakes and 5 pounds of meatballs which still reside in my freezer.


Tip #6 - Buy food for a crowd
Inevitably we all, at one time or another, have to prepare food for a large group of people, whether it’s a baby shower, a family reunion or hosting poker night, you will probably be expected to feed said guests. Don’t feel pressured, this is when having a membership really pays off. While the party trays are pricy, they are all inclusive, or if you are in need of something a little more filling, those 5 pound bags of pre-cooked meatballs really come in handy. Dips by the quart, pre-sliced cheese trays and frozen appetizers are so easy to prepare on a moment’s notice, and as long as you properly hide the plastic containers no one will know you didn’t make it yourself.

Tip #7 - Products NOT to buy
While canned goods and frozen goods take a long time to perish, items like medication are significantly less likely to be used in the time frame before expiration. So leave the 12 pack of Advil on the shelf, no one needs that much pain reliever. Other items to skip include books, new release movies and furniture-these items are probably going to be the same price or a little more than other places selling identical items. Books and movies are particularly higher priced than places like Target and Best Buy so make sure to do research to ensure you are buying at the right place.

Tip #8 - Be wary of the booze
Just because the food and cleaning products are amazing deals, doesn’t mean that buying alcohol in mass quantities is the best move (for your liver or your wallet). Consider what you are using the alcohol for, if you need to buy it right then and how much you usually pay for the bottle(s). If you are purchasing several bottles of wine, I would suggest going to a local grocery store like Kroger or Albertsons who will give you a discount for buying six or more, usually it is 10% - 20% off the total. Now if you are purchasing an enormous bottle of champagne to celebrate a holiday, a birthday, or it has been an exceptionally rough Tuesday, I would suggest buying from Sam’s. The best deal, in my opinion is the $7.99 1.5 liter bottle of Cook’s. Or if you consider yourself more elegant, than I would recommend the 1.5 liter of Korbel that is only $9.99 – which is the price for 750mL at grocery stores. Beer is probably the same price or a little more, depending on where you typically shop. Word to the wise: do not buy a big bottle of wine just because it seems like a good deal. Unless you are planning on making sangria in bulk, do not buy cheap red wine-not only will your hangover beat you senseless for the next two days, you’ll be sad because of the terrible taste you had to endure whilst drinking it.

21 Day Challenge - Day 9

My guilty pleasure, the cheat meal.

I am on day 9 of my challenge now and as of yesterday I had lost 5 pounds! If you are wondering how I haven’t fallen off wagon and into a vat of cheese fries, let me just tell you, it’s been difficult. But following the meal plan, taking the supplements and abstaining from drinking is definitely worth the pain. I feel better about myself and my energy level is very high, I am never hungry, (which is probably the main reason I haven’t indulged). Even during the first week, the program helped me recognize the detrimental eating habits to which I have become accustomed.  After both lunch and dinner I feel a craving for chocolate and it occurred to me that I always eat some (small) sweet treat and those calories were subconsciously adding up. Eating carbs with every dinner meal also seemed normal, until I began eating salads, protein and grilled veggies as the last meal of the day. After this challenge is over, I am going to drop the late-night carb fest and stick to more filling alternatives that will leave me satisfied but not incapacitated.

Abstaining from adult beverages, while at times challenging, comes with the greater rewards of feeling better, saving money and losing weight. Now for my confession… I did use my cheat meal yesterday; I saved up all week for a cheeseburger and fries. The rules are as follows: the cheat meal has to fit into the meal box, you must consume your protein first and you cannot eat dessert. I only ate the few fries that would fit in the box along with the cheeseburger, and I have to admit that while it was tasty, I stopped wanting to eat the burger halfway through. Whether it was due to the poor burger flavors or my disappointment with the restaurant, I felt bad after I ate it. I suppose that is what happens when you start to eat healthier food - your body starts to reject the greasy foods. I will keep you posted about my progress, let’s hope I can lose ten more pounds before June 9^th, and keep it off!

21 Day Challenge

Due to the realization that I am going to have to be measured for a bridesmaid dress in the very near future propelled me into a new lifestyle – I am calling it a lifestyle change rather than a diet because the word “diet” implies that it comes with an end date. For several years, I have perpetually binged on fast food and veggies (as if eating vegetables would counteract the excessive amounts of fat, calories and chemicals in the over-processed cheeseburgers and fries I love so much). Sadly, the fact remains that lack of exercise, improper eating habits and the ability to justify eating poorly did nothing but leave me at the most I’ve ever weighed.

To look at me, I appear to be small, but that is only because I hide my body fat very well. While some girls my age gain weight in their stomach or arms, I am “lucky” enough to gain weight mainly in my thighs, I use quotation marks because though it might seem like a blessing, it is the reason I have been able to go this long without changing my eating habits. To be honest, I really hadn’t noticed how much my 20-something lifestyle was affecting my health until I started taking a critical view of my life. I thought that I was doing much better, eating wise, than I did in college, I don’t party every night or go on late night food runs. But sadly, in college, I walked everywhere, I never drove, I kept moving and active almost all day long. Because I have a job in the real world, I sit about 10 hours a day. Staying active, which I always took for granted, now becomes a conscious effort to maintain. That being said, the prospect of squeezing my thighs into a short, tight maid-of-honor dress was enough to kick me into a program to change my lifestyle and actually lose the weight and keep it off, through (mild) exercise, healthy eating and a much needed attitude adjustment.
My roommate mentioned this 21 day challenge from a place called “My Fit Foods”, it sounded expensive and the food wasn’t very delicious so I wasn’t interested. Then, I stepped on a scale for the first time in a few months…. I had gained about 10 pounds. How could that happen? I don’t feel heavier, I don’t think I look heavier, but sadly, the scale doesn’t lie. The challenge is supposed to wean you off of eating out, drinking caffeine and consuming alcohol, three of the biggest contributions to America’s staggering obesity rate. The plan includes five meals a day, breakfast, lunch, dinner and two small snacks to keep you full between meals. Supplements and this cranberry, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar concoction, along with copious amounts of water, cleanse your body of toxins. After only a day and half, I feel significantly better, with more energy and a more critical realization of my eating habits, I think this challenge is already helping me change for the better. Stay tuned to hear about my progress, what I’ve learned, and how you can do it too!

Deep Ellum - Home of the Best Cajun Cuisine




The Free Man Cajun Cafe and Lounge
Deep Ellum

Living in a large city allows residents the opportunity to dine at a variety of establishments, view different types of shows, a new opening happens weekly and the ability to try new things never ceases. Because this is a city in the great state of Texas, Tex-Mex restaurants can be found around every corner, but spotting authentic Cajun food might prove slightly more challenging. Thanks to a Groupon offer, I came upon a place called “The Free Man” Cajun café in Deep Ellum. While I didn’t purchase the Groupon, the menu sounded so delicious I suggested it to two of my best friends during our search for a place to eat.

The pictures are completely accurate, you know how at most places, the menu pictures are completely staged to make the food look like the best version of itself, but then your order arrives looking nothing like the image. Well at “The Free Man”, the food looks just as delicious (if not more so) than the pictures on the website. We ordered the fried pickle planks to start, typically I am not a fan of fried pickles split longwise and fried, but these turned me into a fan. The cool creamy ranch offset the slightly salty yet spicy pickle slices, I would go back just for an order of these. I find that a restaurant’s appetizers are typically an accurate representation of what to expect for the meal to come, and if that rang true here, we were in for a feast of flavor.



The VooDoo Chicken Sandwich

For our main courses, we each tried something different, I ordered the VooDoo Chicken Sandwich which claimed that it would “cast a spell on you… and leave you searching for pieces that might have fallen on the floor”. This sandwich tasted so phenomenal that I would have eaten it even if it fell on the floor, not an exaggeration. The freshly grilled chicken was topped with lettuce, tomato, spicy “voodoo” sauce, cheese and fried pickle planks. It was hands-down the best chicken sandwich I have ever consumed. Elise ordered the muffalata and Sarah, the blackened chicken po’ boy with sweet potato fries. We always order different things when we try new places so that we get to try multiple dishes. I am normally also not a fan of sweet potato fries, they confuse me and I never know what condiment is an appropriate accompaniment, but these fries needed no dressing. Coated with a sugary, spicy rub, I could not get enough of these fries. Both of the sandwiches were very tasty, but nothing could top my VooDoo Chicken Sandwich - I have been looking for an excuse to return, to devour another of these mouth-watering concoctions (and next time some crab dip as well). I eagerly await the opportunity to introduce someone else to this fabulous place. I cannot say enough positive words about the excellent service, food quality and overall experience – I’ll return soon with my appetite, ready for more tasty Cajun fare.

Groupon + Free Sushi = Fun

Finding a great sushi restaurant is like finding that perfect little black dress. You know the dress I’m talking about, tight fitting at all the right places, flattering in any light and angle… the kind of dress you can dress up or down and will always be appropriate. Good sushi restaurants are easy to find, but the best ones force the eater to do heavy research and taste testing. To fall into the category of my “favorite sushi restaurant”, eateries must pass each of the following criteria: flavor, variety, friendliness, price and convenience. Because of the high saturation of sushi places in DFW, gaining new customers is often easier than getting regular customers to return. By offering excellent deals on Groupons or advertising specials on Yelp, businesses hope to hook a new customer and keep them coming back for more.

I bought my first Groupon recently, my boyfriend and I have intended to try this sushi place called NAAN in Uptown. We originally walked in and found it to be a little pricey, but remembered seeing a Groupon for it, so I waited for it to come back around to buy it. The Groupon entitled us to $60 worth of sushi for $30; it seemed like the perfect way to sample a wide variety of rolls without paying full price. After hearing rumors about businesses not wanting to honor these types of coupons, I felt a little nervous with my first purchase, but it worked beautifully. Oddly enough, the most difficult part was ordering enough food to total $60.



Naan's Volcano Roll



My boyfriend Justin and I both love rolls with crab, shrimp and tuna, also anything containing the phrase spicy – naturally we decided to order something called a “Devil Roll”, skeptical of the supposed heat level, we felt we could take it on with confidence in our ability to finish the roll. We also ordered an SMU roll, a volcano roll, a Texas Tornado roll and an order of prime beef short ribs. I like to think of myself as someone who can handle heat, spices, chiles, peppers, etc. that being said, the Devil Roll defeated me. Despite looking innocent enough, the small roll filled with tuna and spicy Japanese mustard packed a punch to the tongue, throat and nasal passages. I had two pieces and couldn’t attempt the third. After consuming several pieces of the remaining rolls, I determined that the SMU Mustang Roll was by far my favorite. Filled with cream cheese, avocado, salmon, topped with crab and a spicy sauce, this roll was out of this world. And because my boyfriend goes to SMU Law School, the chef gave us an additional one to take home for free! All together, I’d say a successful evening out, between Groupon and the quality of Naan, we will most definitely be back, especially for the half-priced happy hour.

A New Year, A New Goal!

With the dawn of a new year comes the inevitable resolutions which often include weight loss, organization, fiscal responsibility, etc. Working for a leader in the fitness industry, the beginning of the year is one of our busiest times of year. With new year’s resolutions comes an influx of new members eager to lose pounds, shed inches and get high school skinny. I’ve never been one to make resolutions, I know myself well enough to know that I’m not going to work out every day – that’s just not a realistic goal. I might do it for awhile, but sooner or later I will forgo the gym for a book and a glass of wine. This year my goal is more reasonable, this year I am going to take at least one cooking class a month. Food remains the most fun, exciting, engrossing part of my life, so why not spend money on something that makes me happy? I have a free gym membership so instead of spending that money on jazzercise each month, I will put it toward something I can’t get enough of – food.

Last night I attended my first cooking class ever; my mother went with me to “Essential Knife Skills” at Sur la Table. With the exception of a slight carrot mishap, which I blame on an enormous knife, I declare it a success. During the class, we learned the various types of knives, proper knife care and how to use knives correctly. Thanks to this class I can now dice an onion, seed a tomato and chop parsley with ease. I have learned to use the knife to the fullest; unbeknownst to me, I had just been using the middle two inches of the blade instead of utilizing all that it has to offer. I will continue to practice chopping, dicing and seeding so that I can master prep work and feel confident moving on to the next technique.

While the classes are pricey, I think they are completely worth it, if you can learn the basics you can advance to the next level. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me next!