Saturday, May 22, 2010

The Dorm-Room-Scramble!

Eggs are a breakfast commodity that too many college students think they have to go without.
How could you possibly enjoy eggs without a stove?

Well guess what! You can keep on crackin'! Microwaving eggs is a wonderful way to eat your
eggs!  You don't even have to add extra fat for the frying pan :)

I have been eating "Cup Eggs" since I was a little tike!  I remember peering over the counter and watching the eggs puff up inside the microwave in awe...  An egg is an egg, no matter how you cook it! All you need is a mug, and you can enjoy fluffly, scrambled eggs in the comfort of your dorm.

Forget Shively's limited Breakfast Bagels! You are in control of your breakfast sandwich now, and your options are limited!  Jazz up your cup eggs with cheese, ham, and veggies!
Here's a recipe for my go-to breakfast sandwich to get you started!

Dormroom Eggs over my Hammy Sammy!

What You Need:
-A microwave
- Eggs
- a splash of milk
- Salt and Pepper
- Ham
-Whole Wheat Bread
- Cheese of your liking
- Your favorite Condiments










1. Crack your egg into your mug and beat it.. JUST BEAT IT! Add your salt, pepper, and a splash of milk for fluffiness!


2. Microwave for aprox. 2 minutes (keep an eye on it... It should puff up inside the mug!)






3. Top your toast 

(TOASTERS IN THE DORM ARE ILLEGAL... But I am a Badass.)
with your ham, cheese, egg, and condiments!  I am a fan of ketchup on my eggs, but you don't have to be!


4. Enjoy a lighter, simpler breakfast sandwich packed with protein, and whole grain!







Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Fabulous Finger-Foods

Fingers... good for so many things. 


 Reaching deep into the peanut butter jar, shoulder massages, peace signs, and even nose-picking! You may only have two hands, but you have ten fingers!  Imagine how sad life would be without your thumb to pinky.  Without your phlanges the fun of hand-holding and flipping people off would be lost.  
Nah  I ain't Sayin' she's a GOLDDIGGER!
Even the queen likes finger food !
There was a time when fingers were our only eating utensils. Instead of relying on silverware for our eating, let's forget the forks and celebrate your fingers with some bite-size treats!  Here are some top picks when it comes to finger-food!  




Petite Cucumber Cream Cheese Sandwiches




What You Need
- 2 slices of Wheat Bread
- Vegetable Cream Cheese
-Cucumber Slices


1. Smear your bread with the veg. cream cheese and layer on your cucumber slices

2. Cut off your crust... Why?  Because crust ain't classy.






Lite-Tuna Salad Bites


WHAT YOU NEED:
- Tuna
- Wheat Crackers
- Pepper Relish
- a squeeze of lemon
- Lite- Ranch Dressing
- Carrots and Feta for garnish


1. Mix your tuna, a squeeze of lemon, a bit of lite-ranch dressing, and pepper relish.

2. Top your crackers with the tuna salad and garnish with feta... carrots.. or whatever the heck ya' like!







Fluffer- Nutty Rollups



WHAT YOU NEED:
- Wheat tortilla
- Peanut Butter
- pecans
- heath bits
- marshmallow topping
- caramel topping
- berries for garnish

1. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the tortilla and sprinkle the pecans, heath.

2. Drizzle a tiny bit of the marshmallow and caramel inside.

3. Roll-up! ROLL-UP!

4. Slice little bite size morsels and proceed to dip into extra mallow/caramel... Mmmm.... Fluffy...

*** YOGURT is a FABULOUS substitute for the marshmallow ;)***



Enjoy your classy Hors d'Ĺ“uvres and remember... Pinkies up! 

Monday, March 22, 2010

The County Seat




"Well I was born in a small town
And I live in a small town
Prob'ly die in a small town
Oh, those small communities"
-John Cougar Mellencamp




















Every time I come home, there is one stop I must make. Before I sit down at my own dinner table, I slide into the a cozy booth at the County Seat Restaurant. The small town diner might as well be home with its familiar wallpaper and the family of waitresses that know my name. There are no pretensions at "The Seat." People come as they are, stay as long as they please, and are guaranteed plenty of food and an endless river of coffee.























Small town pride is what the The County Seat is serving up every day. Pride in the simple things; a little lamentated menu, filled with familiar dishes, all served with speed and a smile. The name of the restaurant itself holds the history of the little town of Clarion which was the county seat of the neighboring counties. The menu gives an ode to Clarion's past with sandwiches titled "The Bailiff", and "The Sherif."

County Seat- n.
A town or city that is the administrative center of its county.


The seat is more than just a local favorite. It is a ritual for friends, and a good luck meal for local teams. During high school I would wake up an extra hour early just to share a game-day breakfast my volleyball team. The Seat boasts "The breakfast of Champions," whenever the local teams get a win, and even when they don't, the teams still find their favorite fuel at the seat. I'll never forget the one fall morning when 15 or so hungry volleyball girls piled into The Seat, arranging the tables to accommodate our rowdy team. Mountains of pancakes, dozens of eggs, and plates and plates of toast were devoured over laughter and excitement of the upcoming game. When we were finished and went up to pay our check, the waitress informed us that an elderly man had picked up our tab. The Seat's food is affordable, but when multiplied, the bill must have been over 50$. The man said he simply enjoyed having us at the restaurant in the morning, and that he wanted to treat us to breakfast. We never got the chance to thank the nice stranger, but his act of kindness was paid forward in our over 50$ tip.


Oh and another thing... No matter what time of day you go, you will see at least 5 people you know.


At The Seat it is acceptable to order a single M&M pancake, oatmeal with blueberry syrup and peanut butter along side a chicken salad loaded with fries and a homemade monster roll. Need I explain why I love this place?
You can have your pancake and eat it too!


I have eaten all over the world, but the only food I really MADLY crave comes from the seat.
Namely:
The Chicken Sizzler Salad
There are no organic greens, no aged balsmaic mango-tango-herbacious dressing, or delicate filets of the freshest protein. Nope.
Chicken, lettuce, croutons, and "guts"- hard-boiled egg, green peppers, tomatoes, carrots. With full fat ranch dressing please.
But somehow.
It is,
PERFECTION.






















Home, the spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.
~Robert Montgomery

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Spring Break...















A time to hit the beach and forget about school for a week. Time to get in gear for a new quarter and give yourself total relaxation after your winter finals.
Time to bust out your little bikini or speedo that has been in hibernation. Uh oh...























The lazy winter might not have been so kind to your now pale bod. You too have been in hibernation, and indulging in one too many girl scout cookies. But do not fear! It is never to late to get some healthy eating habits that'll benefit your spring break-self! These recipes have all the flavor of sinful snacks, but without the guilt!

Here are two figure friendly meals that will get you back into spring break shape!


Tutti-Fruitti Pita Pizza

What You Need-

Pita

2 T Cream Cheese
1 tsp Honey

Grapes
banana
peach
orange
pecans

1. Toast your pita

2. Combine your honey and cream cheese and smear over your toasted pita

3. Top your pizza with all your gorgeous fruit and pecans.

4. Go on a drizzle a little mo' honey! How lovely?!



Strawberry and Grilled Chicken Salad

What You Need-

Grilled Chicken Breast
Spinach
Strawberries
Grapes
Raisens
onions
edamame
broccoli

Balsamic Vinegar
oil
honey
poppyseed









Have fun on the sunny shores during your break!
And if you are aren't heading anyplace special...
Watch this! It is the next best thing!!!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Be a kid.


Today the Athens sky was awakened to a clear blue. For the past months it has been sleeping behind a blanket of fuzzy grey, but now spring has jumped outta bed, bright eyed, bushy tailed, and ready for fun! It seemed that the new sky cast a spell over campus, and like a scene from a picturebook, the greens were covered with picnics, kites, chalk artists, and "studying." You can't help but smile when you are surrounded by such joy! All the sunshine is turning once overstressed, overworked college students, into carefree kids...

"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older"
-Tom Stoppard



Let's Remember the Days...




Do you remember the days when cooties were your biggest worry? A time when hopscotch, four square, and tag meant something. When summers were endless, and the ice cream man was your buddy. The time in your life when calories didn't exist... Let's play pretend that
those days are today, because no one wants to grow up!

Put your jellies on and don't forget to tell your Mom when you'll be back, because we have a play date with childhood!




Way back when your lunchbox was packed full of trade-able goodies, there was one sandwich that was never bartered. The essential childhood food--

The Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich--

You might be thinking " Wow do I really need to read this?" I know you have been making PB+J's for as long as you can remember. I understand... But I think you need to take a look at this PB+J... It is a little different than most... It looks back!

HOW ADORABLE!
I also included another oldschool favorite...
Ants On a Log--

What You Need:
1. Wheat bread, PB, J, celery, raisins, a big fat glass of milk, and some creativity.

2. Before you assemble your sammy, use a round glass to the head, and cut out a face on one piece of bread.

3. For your logs, smear the pb on your celery and stick your ants (raisins) in the pb.

4. Eat your new sandwich friends.

Because, One two three four I declare a thumbwar!
Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack all dressed in Black Black Black!


Monday, February 15, 2010

Dinner For Two






"Oh Baby, you are the only one I'd spend my Flex Points on..."



Just because Valentines Day is over does not mean that we can't still spread a little love!
Who says that February 14th is the only day when we can send a mushy card, give flowers, or indulge in chocolate.
I don't know about you, but I am not ready to retire my warm and fuzzy Valentine's Day feeling! In my opinion it is the best time of year to make a move on that cutie you have been eyeing. The weather is perfect for cozy cuddly movie nights, or a intimate coffee date. Oh... And chocolate and valentines goodies are on sale! So seize the day! Ask him/her out! Or if you are cheap like me, just make this hearth healthy meal to share with the one you love.






Now let's pretend we are at a romantic Italian Bistro... (a.k.a. Shively) What would the waiter bring to tide you and your lover over until the entree?
How about an appetizer of-

Toasted Herb Bread with Parmesan Dipping Oil
What You Need:

A herb bread bowl

4 T olive oil
2 T balsamic vinear
1 T parmesan cheese
a pinch of- italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

1. Time to Break up.... Not with your hubby, but your bread bowl silly!

2. Run the bread pieces through the toaster

3. combine oil, vinegar, herbs and spices and DIP AWAY!


WebMD Health News

Nov. 11, 2005 - An ingredient found in olive oil may be largely responsible for the heart-healthy benefits attributed to the Mediterranean diet, according to a new study.

Researchers tested the effects of eating a meal of olive oil and bread and found people's blood vessels appeared healthier after eating olive oil rich in phenolic compounds.




Now, as you gaze into your partner's eyes while being serenaded by the murmur of soft jazz... ( or "Party In the U.S.A." if you are anywhere, ANYWHERE on OU's campus) you almost forget about the entree!

Pizza Primavera ( for two )

What you need:

1 Pita
olive oil
basil (dried is fine )
salt and pepper
mozzarella cheese
garlic powder
tomato slices
red onion
spinach

1. Drizzle the pita with olive oil. Sprinkle herbs, spices and mozzarella cheese.

2. Its gettin' hot in here! Put the pita through the toaster and let it get golden brown, and the cheese melt.

3. top with tomatoes, spinach, and onions and run under the toaster one last time.

4. share!

The magical evening is coming to an end, but not without a sweet dessert. Grab two straws for this adorable treat!

Tiramisu Milkshake

What You Need:

3 scoops of coffee ice cream
1/2 cup of skim milk
a splash of coffee
chocolate chips
chocolate syrup
whipped cream
a cone

1. Mix together ice cream and milk untill creamy smooth ( make your shake as thick as you want)

3. add a splash of coffee on top ( hot and cold = fun )

4. top with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, chocolate chips and a crispy cone to create the oh so sweet flavors of a chocolaty-espresso-y tiramisu!


Nothing says i love you like a milkshake for two!





You will notice that there are a few videos below...
Let me warn you...
Watching these will tug at your heartstrings!!! GIVE IN TO THE LOVE!
OH YEAH!
I AM GOING THERE!