May Foodie Penpals

Oh how I LOVE getting Foodie PenPal packages!! 

Amber from www.ifitbakesyouhappy.com was my May Foodie PenPal.

These items were so good! The Very Berry Crunch was like strawberry rice krispies only crunchier. I have been adding this to my yogurt everyday to kick it up. The cookie - vegan and fabulous - was wonderful...even the kids chomped on it. 

Now for the tea bags - I am a fan of tea, green tea mostly. Amber included a recipe that I had to try...I warmed up some Vanilla Almond Milk and steeped my new Aged Earl Grey tea bag in it. Creamy and wonderful as a bedtime beverage!

Want to join in the monthly foodie fun? 

Check it out here: http://www.theleangreenbean.com/foodie-penpals/

The Goodness of Avocados

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-goodness-avocados

Memorial Day Grilled Chicken

This is the most juicy, tender grilled chicken I have ever tasted. Usually, my grilled chicken is dry...so dry that ketchup is needed to choke it down! The marinade is very easy: balsamic vinegar, mango nectar and some thyme. Now, if you know me you are aware that I am emphatic that fruit and meat DO NOT MIX! Apricot Chicken makes me want to gag, Pineapple Ham just seems wrong, and even fruit salsas on fish gives me the shivers. I can't handle my meat dishes tasting sweet and fruity...just sayin'. So this recipe actually accomplished two "firsts" for me: tender grilled chicken AND fruit with meat (even though it wasn't actual fruit).

 Take a gallon ziploc bag and place it in a bowl...this will be how you marinate the chicken overnight. 

I used a can (14oz-ish) of Mango Nectar. I found this one in the Ethnic/Mexican isle at Kroger.

Add the nectar to the bag along with 1/3 cup of balsamic vinegar, 3TBSP of olive oil and some sea salt.

Add the chicken to the bag - I marinated 5 boneless skinless chicken breasts.

I had some fresh thyme growing in the garden, so I added a few sprigs.

Marinate overnight and cook on the grill (20 minutes) or in the oven at 375* for 25 minutes. Check to be sure that the juices run clear (not bloody) before you eat.

Pound Cake meets my new Curd

I was so excited that my Grapefruit Curd came out fabulous! But now that I have a jar of it, I feel like I need to find things to eat it with...not to go to waste. I thought maybe pound cake but I didn't want boring pound cake. Using a little semi-homemade technique, I simply added sliced almonds to pound cake mix. Wa-la: Almond Pound Cake! Since I made the cake two days before and I wanted the cake warm...toaster! I figured the microwave would make it soggy or too soft so I tried the toaster. 

Wonderfully warm, toasted almond pound cake with grapefruit curd and cool whip :) So yummy!

Cute. Healthy. Cat Treats.

New Fun Find: HINT

I am pretty picky about my beverages. I can't drink anything with milk...or my stomach will hate me. I can't drink anything with artificial sweeteners...or my headaches will hate on me. Most flavored waters have some sort of artificial sweeteners in them so I was pleasantly surprised to find Hint. This water literally has just a hint of flavor...and that's all! Not overly sweet. Perfectly refreshing. I bought the watermelon and the raspberry-lime. Try 'em!

New Finds: Earth Fare

We have a new store in town! Earth Fare is open and I needed to see what it was all about. I picked up a few snacks after looking over some amazing sandwiches, coffees and candy! 

There is a station where you can grind your own peanut butter: Honey Roasted Peanut (which I bought), Almond, Peanut and Dark Chocolate, and Regular Peanut.

These carrot chips were among okra chips, green beans, and mixed vegetable chips. They are delicious!