7 Links

Mara chose me to do the the 7 Links challenge. I'd seen this on a few blogs, and I think it's a fun way to look back on your blog and share some of its hidden contents with readers.

1) My most beautiful post.

Wow, this one was hard. I just have a point and shoot that I'm not even that skilled at using. I think this roasted cabbage with grilled tofu turned out nice, though!

2) My most popular post.




Statistics-wise my baked chile rellenos and shortcut cubed steak stew have been neck and neck for months.

3) My most controversial post.

Kind of funny, but at the bottom of this post I mentioned John Besh, who spoke at my brother's CIA graduation. I poked fun at his blazer and periodically a random googler will end up there and get pissed at me for it. I delete them as they come in, but I've been called a b*tch more than once by "Anonymous."

4) My most helpful post.

I've done a few "how to" posts, complete with step by step pictures. I think the most popular is how to butterfly a chicken.

5) A post whose success surprised me.

I was pleasantly shocked to see such a warm response about my Project Food Blog entry, where you describe yourself as a food blogger. I wrote from the heart and wasn't sure people would take the time to read it. I've since made it my About page, since I think it does such a good job describing me and Dinner at Christina's.

6) A post that didn't get the attention it deserved.

I really need to do another post on this to take pictures and give it justice, but rustic cabbage soup rocks! I make it about once a month in the winter months. It is really, really good and healthy.

7) The post I'm most proud of.

I'm not really sure if I conveyed through the blog how badly Project Food Blog crushed me. I was eliminated after round 2, but thought I would make it much, much further. I went in there balls out.

I poured my heart out in my story, I spent 7 hours making tamales from scratch, and I spent a couple hundred dollars and three days cooking for the dinner. I was devastated to be knocked out, and didn't even go into my kitchen for a few weeks. It was the closest I've come to quitting blogging. I was bitter against the contest, the process, the judging, the voting, and those that moved on when I didn't.

So, the post I'm most proud of is the five course dinner for 9 that I planned, shopped for, prepped, decorated, cooked, plated, and served by myself. I still can't believe it when I look back, but it's there in photos so I know I did it!

7 bloggers whose 7 links I'd like to see:
Cheryl
Laura
Beth
Kristina
Ally
Jessie
Roz

Stylish Blogger

Well I must be doing something right lately, because Mara and Tracy passed the Stylish blogger award onto lil ole me!

Here is how it works:

First: Make a post linking back to the person who gave you the award

Second: Share 7 (random) things about yourself

Third: Award 15 recently discovered bloggers with this award

Then: Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won your award

1) I have read every Nicholas Sparks' book to date.

2) I have watched every episode of Gilmore Girls, The Office, News Radio, The Cosby Show, Roseanne, and Dexter. (And loved every minute of it.)

3) I have a Dwight bobble head on my desk. His head is moving as I type this.

4) I can't stand having my nails long. I cut them like once a week. (I blame my piano teacher mother.)

5) Last week I threw out a Gladware container of something in my freezer that I a) had no idea how long it'd been in there and b) had no clue what it was. I was scared.

6) My suitcase from staying in NC this summer is still in the laundry room, largely unpacked.

7) Everyday I unlock the front door and peak outside to see if I have a package. Even if I'm not expecting anything, I have to do it.

I'm tagging:

Laura
Cheryl
Kim
Sophia
Beth
Biz
Jenn
Kristina
Amanda
Errign
Ally
Jessie
Maggie
Jenn
April
Roz

Phew, I think that's 15!

Crap, I just counted and it's 16. Too bad I'm not taking anybody off! :)

Prize Winner and Award

I'm not sure if you caught it, but there was a surprise at the bottom of Friday Firsts last week! It was my 300th post, so one lucky contributor was going to win a gift from me!

There were nine contributors last week, but lucky #2 was the Queen of All herself, Laura who submitted her Portabello burgers!

Congratulations Laura!! You win an adorable little "secret mini wallet" hand sewn by a local craft club. They sell their goods at a local charity center and donate the proceeds. I love shopping there for unique, hand-made gifts that benefit the charity and my community!



Ally of Sweet & Savory gave me the Sunshine Award, naming me as a blogger that brings sunshine to her day! Awwww thank you Ally! :)

Some bloggers that always bring sunshine to my day are:

Sophia of Burp and Slurp, Laura at Hey What's for Dinner, Mom?, Amy of Please Don't Eat Me!, Mara at What's for Dinner?, Alisa of One Frugal Foodie, Biz at Biggest Diabetic Loser, Maggie at Maggie Walks, and Jessie of The Happiness in Health!

Glazed Carrots with Pecans

Growing up my mom would sometimes cook fresh carrots with a hint of something sweet like honey or orange juice. I think it's a pretty unique flavor profile, so I experimented with it.

2 large carrots
2 garlic cloves, minced
healthy sprinkle of black pepper
dash Kosher salt
1 Tbsp real maple syrup
2 Tbsp water

handful of pecans

Wash and cut the carrots and add to a pan with the minced garlic, pepper, and salt. Cook for a few minutes on medium heat until the garlic softens and the carrots lose some of their bite. Add the maple syrup and pecans and turn the heat to medium high. Let the syrup carmalize around the carrots a bit and form a glaze for just a minute or two. Add the water and reduce the heat back to medium. Let cook for about 5 minutes until the water evaporates, the carrots are soft, and the pecans are toasted.




These turned out really delicious and I'm so happy I thought to include the nuts. The glaze on the carrots was just a "hint," not a thick, cloying sweetness.

I served alongside baby lima beans and a chicken breast I "grilled" under the broiler with Jack Daniel's No. 7 BBQ sauce. The carrots' bold flavor held its ground against the stronger flavor of the charred chicken.

Also, I've been forgetting to include this for a couple weeks now! Jessie at The Happiness in Health gave me an award! Thanks Jessie, sorry I'm so slow!

The rules say to list 10 things that make me happy before passing it onto other bloggers.

1) This semester being OVER, which means no more Macroeconomics!
2) A surprise week break before the next semester starts.
3) My new bowl!
4) I have already procured my mom an awesome Mother's Day gift!
5) Corn on the cob will soon be in season!
6) Reading a good book on a sunny day. (Thank you all for your suggestions!)
7) Friday Firsts and all that participate weekly!
8) Learning to can this summer (hopefully)!
9) My comfy bed and pillow.
10) My new(to me) bike! (Thanks mom and dad!)

I'm going to take the easy way out again and pass it onto all of you and ask that you tell me at least one thing that makes you happy in the comments!

Strawberry Sour Cream Loaf

Johnny and I were so taken by Natalie's strawberry sour cream loaf when we chose it as BSI winner that we wanted to make it right away!

It worked out perfectly too because the $7.99 two pound tubs of strawberries were on sale and with store card came to $2.99 per tub! In season produce is so much cheaper and tastier! Win-win if you ask me!

I followed Natalie's recipe and instructions verbatim, which can be found here.

I didn't get any pictures of the mixing process, but the batter was absolutely beautiful! It was silken smooth and creamy, I was impressed!

The aroma while it baked was heavenly. Perhaps I made it in too big of a pan (12" loaf pan), but it was very delicate. The texture was almost like a white cake, very moist and light.

In the future I could see experimenting with the fruits, or maybe even adding oats to the batter to bulk it up some. This would also be an excellent choice for a birthday cake! Just bake in a round pan and "frost" with whipped cream!

Just as Natalie had promised, there were little pockets inside where the strawberries melted into yummy nothingness! This is definitely a keeper!


I was tagged by Amy of Please Don't Eat Me! to answer 7 questions about myself. The questions she chose to ask were:

1. What is your favorite article of clothing?
Wow! I have so many clothes, it's hard to narrow it down. I think I'd probably have to settle on some pretty dress that I rarely get a chance to wear.

2. What is your dream vacation?
Greece!

3. Have you ever danced in the rain?
Of course!

4. If you could design your own dream house, what would it look like? big and spacious, small and cozy, condo, etc..
I think it would probably have different wings. I like variety and could never live in a loft style apartment, I need to move room to room.

5. If you won the lottery would you quit your job and move to Tahiti?
Nope! (Because I'm not working right now and the thought of living on a tiny little island 9,000 miles from anywhere freaks me out!)

6. If you could only drink one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Non-alcoholic = sweet iced tea
Alcoholic = Singapore Sling OR Amaretto Sour (I can't choose!)

7. What would you name your first born son or daughter?
This changes all the time and most people HATE the baby names I pick out, but right now I like:
Son = Malcolm (Laura knows why!)
Daughter = Sabrina

I'm supposed to tag 7 people and ask them 7 new questions! But I'm a rule-breaker so everybody is tagged to answer one question:

What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?!

Happy Easter & Award

Happy Easter!

(Alisa this is for you!)

In case you missed them last year (and a few weeks ago for Cute Food Saturday) click here for the amazingly fool-proof process to make these adorable bunny cakes!

And thank you to Geri from Heart N Soul Cooking for giving me the Kreativ Blogger Award!

The Kreativ Blogger Award Rules:

1. Post the award.

2. Thank and mention the person who gave you the award.

3. Pass the award on to seven blogs who you think embody the spirit of the Kreativ Blogger Award.

4. Name seven things about yourself that others don't know.

5. Don't forget to notify your seven Bloggers about their award and post a link to their blog.

First onto seven ladies that I love and have made this whole blogging experience worthwhile to know there are other weirdos out there like me! (just kidding... well, sort of!)

Laura of Hey What's for Dinner, Mom?
Sophia of Burp & Slurp~
Amy of Please Don't Eat Me!
Alisa of One Frugal Foodie
Sarah of No Whey, Mama
Maggie of Say Yes to Salad
Allie of Live Laugh Eat

Wow I hit seven fast and could seriously keep going for about ten more! (Especially since I left out my Chicagoland friends I've had the honor of meeting in real life - Biz, Mara, and Michelle!)

And now onto seven things about me which is getting increasingly hard with each award that requires this because I don't want to repeat things!

1) For about two years when I lived back home on the Outer Banks my best friend Brittany and I would go bowling every single Friday or Saturday night until 1 or 3am unlimited for $12. Still, I think my highest score was like 120!
2) In the past three weeks I have been to two new states I've never been to before - Iowa and Nebraska!
3) Once when I was 4 or 5 I wrote my name on the wall in pen and thought I'd outsmart my parents by saying my 1 year old brother did it.
4) I don't have my high school diploma, I have a GED instead!
5) I used to have a massive crush on "JTT" aka Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Many teeny bopper magazines were sacrificed for me to plaster his face in my room and locker.
6) I've never seen a bunch of super famous movies like Gone with the Wind and The Sound of Music.
7) I need to purchase anything with my name or initial on it, even though I'm 25 and not 7.

Thanks, Geri that was fun! :)

Tasters

CSN stores is going to be sponsoring a review here at Dinner at Christina's! Their site has literally millions of items in over 200 stores to browse and shop. I've used them before to shop for a computer desk and they have other items like TV stands, pot racks, grills, and a whole slew of kitchen items to drool over!


Believe it or not I don't have any cookware that can go from stove to oven and I don't have any bakeware with a lid to roast in! I'm excited for all of the possibilities this Rachael Ray pot will open up for me! Not to mention add a bright splash of my favorite color green to our kitchen!


Ally of Sweet & Savory awarded me with the Happiness Award! Thank you, Ally! :)

I have to list 10 things that make me happy and then pass onto 10 bloggers!

1) The snow finally melting! I am more than ready for some sunshine and green!
2) My cousin Taylor is coming to stay with me for her Spring Break and we get to hang out and have fun!
3) This semester is half done so that means half done with Macroeconomics!
4) I got my grades from last semester - all A's!
5) I took a leap and ordered a bathing suit and I absolutely LOVE it and feel great in it!
6) Johnny and I have been trying to work out regularly - together!
7) Sunday nights because I can watch The Amazing Race (love the cowboys this season)!
8) My camera to take pictures of people, animals, and food!
9) Facebook to keep in touch with family and friends and upload said pictures!
10) Hugs from Johnny!

Wow, that was harder than expected since I did it a few weeks ago and didn't want to repeat anything! Instead of passing it onto 10 bloggers I'm going to pass it onto all readers to leave a comment telling me one thing that makes you happy!



I dyed my hair! It's just a 28 shampoo wash out kind called Cinaberry. On my hair it ends up sort of dark auburn, with bright flecks of red in the light. Just a little something-something to help chase away the last of the winter blues! (Please ignore our ugly beat-up bathroom in the background.)

My cousin Anne-Marie is hosting a give-away for a bunch of Amazing Grass products, which I told you guys the benefits of a few weeks ago! Head on over and enter!

I think we're all caught up now! There will be food posted again soon, I promise!

Banana Bread French Toast

Whoa. Remember I tweeted about making some loaves of banana bread last week?! Well, one of the recipients was Johnny's friend and co-worker, Goran (you might remember him from the D.C. trip recaps). He told Johnny that he made french toast with it last time. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head upon hearing this! I had to try it!

All you'll need:
4 slices banana bread, cut in 1/2" slices
2 eggs
~3 Tbsp water

Pre-heat a square frying pan over medium-low heat. The key to any good french toast or pancakes is getting the pan's temperature just right with pre-heating!

In a shallow bowl or pie plate beat 2 eggs with a few tablespoons of water (or milk) to thin out.

Cut your banana bread into four 1/2" slices. (Ok, maybe five slices so you have one to nibble on!)

Soak each slice of bread for a few seconds each side to absorb the egg mixture.

Spray the pre-heated pan with non-stick spray and lay the four slices on, evenly spaced. Cook on medium heat for a minute or two each side until lightly browned and no longer soggy from the egg.

Remove from the pan and place on a plate. Tip: If cooking more than one batch, the perfect place to store the plate is in the microwave! It is an insulated little box that will keep the heat in while you continue with the next batches. Just add each batch to the plate and place in the microwave and close the door until ready to eat! This also works for dinnertime if you are on slightly different schedules and expect to eat a little later.

Served with scrambled eggs, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper.

Perfect with a pat of butter and some real maple syrup drizzled over top! It took on a delicious new personality. Surprising me the most were the walnuts which toasted from the frying pan's heat and developed a really nutty, full-bodied taste!


Amy at Please Don't Eat Me! gave me a really fun little award! Thanks, Amy!


The "rules"
1. Thank the person who gave this to you.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you.
4. Tell up to six outrageous lies about yourself, and at least one outrageous truth.
5. Nominate seven “Creative Writers” who might have fun coming up with outrageous lies.
6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate.

Ok, let's see how well you know me, which is the truth?!
1. I don't know how to swim.
2. I skipped 2nd grade.
3. I played the clarinet in middle school band.
4. I type 40 words per minute.
5. I was born in Poughkeepsie, NY.
6. My bellybutton is pierced.
7. I wear a size 6 shoe.

Passing it onto:
1. The Diva
2. Biz
3. Laura
4. Allie
5. Sarah
6. Maggie
7. Ally

Big Batch Waffles to Freeze & Award

About a month ago Alisa from One Frugal Foodie posted an oat waffle recipe. It wasn't so much the recipe that caught my eye, but her tip to cool the waffles and freeze them for breakfasts on the go. Uh.. duh! Another one of those simply genius ideas we seem to overlook until somebody else points them out for you.

My mom used to make a bunch of waffles or pancakes on the weekend and we stored leftovers in the fridge and heated up quickly in the microwave or toaster for school morning breakfasts. We never froze them since they were eaten up so quickly. Since the idea never occurred to me, for some dumbass reason I've been wasting my money buying frozen waffles at the store when I have a waffle maker sitting in my pantry!


I didn't use a waffle recipe, just Bisquick (which is dairy free in case you didn't know!). I made four batches of batter according to the instructions on the side of the box. Each batch was dressed up in its own unique way.

This was the first time I'd ever used my waffle maker to make waffles! The plates come out and are double-sided. One side is to make waffles and one is flat. You can use it like a panini press, but it also unhinges and opens flat like a griddle, which is the only way I'd used it before.

The first waffles of batch one were unfortunately sacrificed to the waffle maker. I didn't let it heat up properly. See? This little light was put there for a reason, not just decoration!


What a mess! I had to chisel some parts out of the grooves! But after I let it heat properly, it started working like a champ and I was able to turn out batch after batch, perfectly!

After spraying both waffle plates, scoop the batter into the center. Close the lid and leave it alone for about 5 minutes, or until steam stops billowing from the sides. Carefully raise the top, remove the waffles with tongs, and start over!

Batch 1, banana:
Bisquick batter
1 tsp vanilla
1 overly ripe banana, mushed

Batch 2, chocolate chip:
Bisquick batter
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Batch 3, blueberry:
Bisquick batter
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup blueberries (mine happened to be frozen)

Batch 4, apple cinnamon:
Bisquick batter
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup apple, diced finely
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Let the waffles cool on a wire rack and then separate and put in labeled freezer bags. When ready to eat, simply pop them in the toaster just the same as you would an Eggo!

All four of these batches yielded me almost 40 waffles. I used less than one box of Bisquick, a little over a quart of milk, 1/2 cup of oil, and 4 eggs, which is a steal when you do the math! You can also control the ingredients and nutrition based on your allergies, tastes, and dietary needs with no funky preservatives or mystery ingredients.



I also received another award! Gina at Simply Life gave me the Sunshine Award! Thanks, Gina!

I'm going to pass it onto two of my favorite bloggers, who are also really great friends.

Laura of Hey, What's for Dinner, Mom? who was instrumental in my developement of Friday Firsts. She was the first person I told about it way back in December and gave me the guts to go forward with the project! Incidentally, she's going to be starting "Just another meatless Monday" every Monday for you to link up your vegetarian or vegan dishes to share!

Sophia of Burp & Slurp who really jumped on board and helped with the launch of Friday Firsts by posting about it and linking up immediately, with no hesitation! That's support!

How to Cut a Fresh Pineapple & Award

Ok, laugh all you want, but this time last year I had never cut a fresh pineapple before and didn't know how! In fact, I didn't think I was a pineapple fan. I remember the bits in fruit cocktail when I was little "hurt my tongue" so I always avoided it. If I needed it in a recipe I'd use canned.

Well, no more! Every month or two (more often in the summer when we're craving fresh fruit) I grab a pineapple when they're on sale ($2.99 in my store). It tastes a lot better and you get more bang for your buck!


My tip for fresh fruits and vegetables is to "process" them as soon as you get home from the grocery store, after you've put away the other items. Wash them, and if necessary, cut and peel them. This makes you more likely to grab and eat fruits and veggies because it's convenient and quick! Plus you get it all out of the way once and only one cutting board and knife wash!


First, grab the leafy top of the pineapple securely and twist, just like you're opening a stubborn jar. It should pop cleanly off! (Apparently you can save the top and sprout it to grow, but I'm not a gardener so have never attempted.)

Next I slice the pineapple into quarters for easier handling.

Lob off the leafy ends of each quarter. This is important because you are creating a flat surface to cut on.

Stand each quarter up on it's now flat base and cut the point off where the tough core is.

Now turn the quarter and slice off the exterior skin of the pineapple. I can usually do this in two knife movements, but sometimes go back to clean up areas that were missed.

You should have a cored and skinned quarter of a pineapple now. Lay it flat on your cutting board and cut into 1/2" slices, or your preference of thickness (TWSS). *giggle*

As you're done cutting each quarter deposit these slices into an airtight container for easy storage.

Voila! You've cut a fresh pineapple in just a few minutes. Depending on size, I'm usually awarded with about 4 cups of fruit.

Johnny and I enjoy munching on the slices as a side to breakfast or lunch, a light snack, or dessert after dinner. Since the fruit has already been processed and is in an easily accessible container it's a cinch to grab when the mood strikes!


Miss Spiceaholic at Spice's Bites has awarded me with the Beautiful Blogger award! Thank you!

I have to list 7 facts about myself and then tag 7 other bloggers.

1) I'm currently enrolled in school again, going for my Bachelor's in Hospitality and Tourism. My plan is to open an Inn with a small restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. I want some hens and pigs and a large garden. The garden and hen's eggs will supply the restaurant and any scraps accumulated will become pig slop or compost for fertilizer!

2) You already know I don't like mushrooms or raw tomatoes, but another disliked food is raw oysters. Ugh, their texture is like swallowing a big loogie!

3) I haven't had my hair cut by a professional since 2001 or 2002. My mom, aunt, or Johnny trim it for me every once in awhile and I'll thin it with thinning shears. Twice I've gotten bored and cut it myself - last time was 2006 and I donated 14" to Wigs for Kids! I just don't trust salons anymore because they don't listen and never know how to treat my curly hair.

4) I don't have a birthmark.

5) I've never gotten an F, I'd probably have a nervous breakdown if I did.

6) I've never been to a tanning bed and the thought freaks me out. I think of them as being enclosed in a glowing coffin.

7) I don't know how to drive stick, but fantasize learning (among other things) so I can be prepared for The Amazing Race.

Instead of tagging 7 bloggers I'm going to tag each of you to leave one fact about yourselves in the comments!