Gift Idea: Opt for an Experience

If one of the Father's Day gift ideas I suggested last week wasn't for you, I understand.
(though umm, how is a leather beer leg holster not the coolest in the universe?! haha).

Instead of giving an object this Father's Day or for an upcoming birthday of someone special, what about giving them the best gift of all: an experience!

Here's some "entry-level" (still awesome) experience-type gifts:
1. dinner at an awesome place you would normally never hit up, be it far or pricey (or both)
2. visit to a theme park or similar
3. tix to a concert or sports game (and if you go, enjoy it.. even if you're really do not!)
3. mini weekend vacay, or an overnight staycation near your place

Want to kick it up a notch?
There's a million things you can do depending on the person's passion/hobbies... since we love anything food related, wanted to share with you two things I've done. Hope it generates some ideas for you!

To celebrate my husband's major accomplishment of earning his JD and MBA (yay!),
I set up an experience gift we still talk about years later.
There was a sushi restaurant with a chef named Hook near the hubs law school that we constantly frequented. We loved it there. Casual, no frills, fresh sushi.

So, what did I get my man for his big day?
A private lesson for two with our favorite sushi chef, the Hook-ster!
We made all this!

This was the one -- and only -- time in our lives that we had so much sushi that we had to call friends to come over to help us eat it! Note: we do not share sushi. Better not to ask. :)

It was one of the coolest experiences EVER and for less than $200, if I recall correctly.
TIP: just because someone doesn't advertise
for their services in a new way, doesn't mean they're not available. ASK!
Hook didn't do sushi lessons so I approached him about doing so and then negotiated the price. It was so easy for him to do the private lesson for a few hours mid-afternoon while the restaurant was closed.
To save costs, consider getting a group together for a semi-private lesson.


Another experience?
For one of A's birthday's, I coordinated for a local chef to teach us how to cook an Asian-inspired
meal in our home. Amazing!
Wanted someone to teach us with our appliances, pots and pans, etc., so we could replicate it  later on.

Sidebar lesson learned:
it's much easier/more fun to cook when you have a chef to prep everything (a la Food Network!)...
and clean up when you're done.

Semi-embarrassed by this photo for my home: we had just moved into this place. It was all passed-down furniture. Nothing is the same.
OK, lie: the walls are still blue.  Focus on our yum food and happy faces.

Tip: ask a local reporter (in this instance, I reached out to the then-Palm Beach Post food editor,
Jan Norris - who ps: now has an awesome food blog that's such a great resource)
for recommendations for local chefs who could do this for me.

Reporters are often your most-in-the-know locals. Jan was so helpful, giving me insight about this 'freelance' chef who came to our home for a few hours, taught us and left us with recipes and a sense that we could do this on our own. To this day, we delight in his sunamono salad (cucumber salad)
- will have to post that soon!
We planned to have him back for a BBQ cooking night with friends, however he unfortunately moved to California. How rude of him when we were so stoked about our BBQ party! hah.


Well, that's all I have for you today. And, wheh... I'm tired. It took me a crazy long time to find these photos. Thank you dotphoto albums that I created a gazillion years ago!
Happy Wednesday, my smartie gorgeous gals.

5 Must Haves: from a Fellow Red-Head

Meet Erin. She's one of the coolest, sweetest, most fun and sincere girls I've ever met. Promise. And, I'm not just blowing these compliments her way because she's a red head (ya know, us red heads have to stick together!). Honestly, her smile is infectious and someone I always think I'd love to become better friends with (ya year that, Erin! haha). We met out and about here in West Palm, Fla. through friends, and now serve together on the Board of an awesome non profit, The Foundation for Community Betterment. She's our resident graphic designer and overall smartie, helping to keep us organized and make every event its best.

Oh, did I forget to mention she has killer taste? Even when I see her en route to spinning classes (indoor cycling, her love!), she looks totally fab. I love how she pulls an outfit together (which usually involves Tory Burch), her condo is gorge, and she also makes her own jewelry... namely guitar pick earrings! Talk about rockin' a look! I'm obsessed with them. She sells them here and there so it's always awesome to see someone wearing them... people go crazy; such a fun, unexpected piece of jewelry!

Beyond thrilled that she's sharing with you her five must-have items because this is definitely a girl who's taste I admire. Fun, accessible yet sophisticated and modern.

In her words, here's Erin's 5 must haves...

 Swatch

I wear my Swatches all the time, even to work. Rocking a vibrant Swatch is a fab diversion to the "work attire." They add a splash of unexpected character and can be conversation starters. Lately, I've been wearing this one, So Fresh ($60)! 

 

A lovable Rescue Pet

Mine's named Cooper. He's my love monkey. I rescued him in January from Golden Rescue South Florida and we're now in a serious relationship :-) Rescue your next pet please! You can rescue pretty much any breed either through your local humane society or searching for more detailed organizations such as the Golden Rescue south Florida or Everglades Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.

(You don't have to get a golden retriever but they are one of the BEST dogs).

 

MAC - Oyster Girl lipgloss

It's light and glossy, giving your lips just enough without hailing too much attention.

The color ORANGE

I'm not sure what it is about the color orange. I've been infatuated for years. It's funky and fresh with a touch of sassy. Notice my orange bedding (Anthropologie) and orange upholstered chair (purchased from Kourtney Pulitzer boutique in West Palm Beach) with Cooper hanging out.
TAGG tip: this just shows that even red heads can rock orange! thanks, erin!

Good Food!

I'm not much of a chef so when cooking at home, I usually do steamed veggies and bake or grill chicken. Bland, I know. This could be the reason why I tend to eat out often: I enjoy GOOD FOOD. Some fly to Italy or New York for a memorable meal, which I fully encourage but I'm also happy eating at these hot spots in West Palm Beach, which can accommodate Cooper of course: Darbster (vegan), Vagabondi (Italian), Gratify (gastro pub) and Pistache (French waterfront bistro). Darbster's is an easy "go to" for a casual atmosphere, friendly people and outrageously delicious Vegan food. Yes, Vegan. Have a glass of white wine and the Chikn' & Apple Wrap with the peanut sauce that I crave. At Vagabondi, I usually get the beet salad to start and a small portion of the luring pasta with truffle oil!
(photo: palm cakes at darbster, pbpost.com)

Would like S'more of this Weekend

How is Easter coming and going without me eating a few dozen Peeps?!

Since I won't be surprised with a few packages of these marshmallow lovelies on Sunday
(not part of our Jewish tradition... though it should be! hmmm), figured I needed to take action. 

Saw these -- dubbed S'MEEPS! -- on Bauble Bar's blog who got them from Serious Eats.

This is definitely a serious eat, seriously delicious eats! I'm drooling on my laptop as we speak.

Are you a peeps fan??
Hope so because I'd really like us to be friends still. Mwuah!

{Ingredients}

4 Peeps (1 package)

4 graham crackers, separated into 8 halves

Four 1-ounce squares semisweet or dark chocolate (depending on preference)

{Directions}

Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 350°F.

Place a 1-ounce square of chocolate on 4 of the graham cracker halves.

Top each chocolate with a Peep. Say your goodbyes.

Put your Peep sacrifice laden graham crackers on an aluminum foil covered tray and pop them in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes.

Once the Peeps are toasted to your liking, take them out of the oven and squish them with a graham cracker half. Feast.

Savvy Shopping: Grocery-Store Style

With ads for $.99 Big Macs and cheapy fries, it can take a little more work to eat a healthy, great-tasting meals and snacks. While I’m not the world’s best cook, I am a gal who loves food and healthy eating (and seeking out fun new snack foods!) so I’m willing to seek out the deals and learn what’s worth it and what’s not.

As your fab new in-the-know best friend (if I do say so myself, ha!),

let me share with you five easy tips to help reign in your food budget:

Eat what’s in season!

The best, easy tip to save money is to buy what’s in season. Here’s a great chart to use as a guide. Buy watermelon, grapes and strawberries now and hold off on... .

Try frozen fruits and veggies.
Are you someone who constantly tosses your produce because you don't eat it in time? Buy frozen; it lasts much longer. I love adding frozen veggies with some olive oil, salt and pepper, in a skillet along with a protein and whipping up a quick stir-fry. Add soy, ponzu or teriyaki sauce, too. Avoid frozen meals and veggies with pre-made sauces that are loaded with artificial ingredients and tons of sodium. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s not for you.

Pay attention to prices.
Don’t just buy, buy, buy! Notice costs, including fruit and veggies per pound. You’ll be surprised how quickly you recognize when items are a better value. And, compare seemingly similar items: thin-sliced chicken can be 40 percent more than regular breasts. Save a lot by taking two minutes at home to slice in half or pound thin (good stress reliever, too!). Sometimes the convenience is worth it -- like buying diced butternut squash or cut brocoli -- but often it's not.

Buy on sale.
Sounds obvious, right? Do it, but be more strategic. It might take a few weeks to see the savings because you first need to stock up during sales on your go-to items (though don't go to the extreme like what's on TV lately; no one needs 93 ketchups!). Think almonds, granola or paper towels. Notice the sales so you can avoid buying for full price when you’re completely out. I love BOGOs (Buy One Get One) sales added with coupons from my Sunday paper or from Coupons.com. I’m usually saving at least 30-40 percent each week, with hardly any work involved. You do not have to be a crazy coupon lady! And, once you stock up you don't have to worry about buying the same product every week; you'll have it. I'm stocked on everything from preserves to shaving cream! For those who are really interested, there's an "un-couponing" method by Jodi at Live FabuLESS that masses of women go nuts for. Haven't done it yet, but considering it soon because this gal has never steered me wrong; love her. She saves without sacrificing. Totally my motto, ladies!

Cook more than you need
This one is more about saving time than money because to me --- time is the most valuable commodity in the world! Even though I’m typically only cooking for two, I make enough for at least one or two more days. Tilapia one night can be transformed into fish tacos the next night without the hassle of making more fish. I do the same with chicken. Make chicken breasts with black beans, rice and grilled onions one night and go for fajitas or a salad topped with chicken the next.

Hope this is helpful... ask questions: always do my best to answer!

Recipe: Panko-Crusted Baked Chicken

Chicken, chicken, chicken! Sometimes I feel as though that's all I cook lately. It's either that or one of my frozen Greenwise pizzas I've recently mentioned. Not so adventurous in the kitchen, I know.

Looking for a spin for my trusty bird, I recently baked chicken using a panko crust. Yum! Familiar with it? It's essentially Japanese breadcrumbs that are becoming increasingly popular (though has been available for eons). While they're often used when frying, not for this healthy gal. Check out my tasty meal:

You can often get a great taste for a lot less calories just by baking so why do it? Even with french fries! I LOVE slicing potatoes and putting them in a 400 degree oven to crisp up. Yum! And, use those extra calories for a nice glass of vino.

For this easy peasy dinner, just roast broccoli or veggie of your choice (400-degree oven, 35 minutes, flipping around 20 minutes and keep an eye on it based on size of veggie) and cook rice. You could make a fried rice, but I went simple with white for this quick meal after the chickie went to sleep.

{Ingredients}
panko (find near breadcrumbs or Asian food aisle)
chicken
season to mix with panko, if desired
salt and pepper
egg whites (or egg beaters)
flour (I used whole wheat)

{Directions}

Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Lightly coat the chicken with flour, and set up your stations to keep the process moving (see pic): Chicken, then egg wash, then panko with some salt and pepper, followed by your greased sheet pan.
Simply take each cutlet and coat it first in the egg and then in the panko. (tip: use one hand with the egg and another with the panko so your hands don't get coated.). You can't go wrong when doing this so liberally coat. Some might fall of during transfer.
Wheh, the hard part is over. Place the pan in the oven and cook for approximately 15 minutes, checking based on cutlet thickness.
DONE!

TAGG tip: once you've made this once, integrate different spices and fresh herbs into the panko for a flavor all your own.

Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice

Continuing on my journey of sharing a new recipe with you gals each week, here's a new one for you:

Shrimp Fried Rice!

Best part? Besides tasting awesome, it's pretty healthy, too.

Unlike traditional fried rice, this gal didn't "fry" hers and used a heartier brown rice instead of white. I also upped the veggie quota, loading in the broccoli so we're eating less starch and more greens. The dish is my favorite kind: a one-stop-shop. No need for a bread plate, a soup bowl, or space for other items. It's all right here in this perfect little dish. Enjoy!


Ingredients:
2 cups dry, brown rice (you can use white), uncooked
1 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp. vegetable oil

2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 tbsp. soy sauce (I used the low sodium variety)
Shrimp, lots and lots of shrimp!
Frozen peas, carrots and corn, thawed
I bag of broccoli

Directions
Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add in broccoli, saute until cooked through (about four minutes). Set aside. (You can also steam or blanch if you prefer). Just look for that bright green color.
Heat 1 tbsp. oil.
Add in rice, brown slightly (about three minutes). Add in eggs, scramble until cooked thoroughly.
Add broth, peas, carrots and corn, and soy sauce; bring to a boil.
Remove from heat. Let stand five minutes so rice absorbs the liquid.
Add in shrimp and warm through with fried rice.
Serves 4-5.
Enjoy!

xo
Alyson

Now: Epcot Food & Wine Festival

What a great little vacay -- be it a girls weekend, or a trip for you and a loved one!

Now through November 14, Epcot in Orlando transforms into a food and wine lover’s paradise during this annual festival that grows increasingly popular each year. More than 270 chefs are on-hand to be sure you sample the best culinary eats from around the globe.

Featuring specialty food items, culinary events and live music, you can try more than 75 appetizer-sized portions from countries including Argentina, Chile, Poland, Belgium, South Korea, Puerto Rico, South Africa, United States and Spain. The booths are set up along the World Showcase Promenade, and portoins are $3 to $8 per serving. There's more than 300 international and domestic wines, and you can explore specialty marketplaces featuring regional foods, wines and beers.

Here, one person shares the top 10 new dishes at this year's Food & Wine Festival.

One-day tickets are reasonable at $79, and just $71.10 if you’re a AAA member. 

Passover tastiness made easy

With few exceptions, when it comes to Passover dishes can be a bit dry. Think matzoh in everything. But then last year I had a realization: I don't need to buy egg noodles, unleavened crackers and all sorts of gimmicky items when heck, I don't typically eat this stuff anyway!

Don't want to stop anyone from eating matzoh brei (sprinkle a dash of cinnamon sugar on it for a hint of heavenly sweetness!) or good ol' matzoh pizza, but this year think about your typically eat every night of the week. Head to your BBQ and get grilling: cook some chicken and vegetables (I love eggplant, zucchini, squash, etc). All they need is some olive oil, salt and pepper. Make a big salad with chicken or tuna salad on top. Do breakfast for dinner and make an omelet with fresh veggies and your fav cheese (my vote goes to feta!). Make chicken, eggplant or a veggie-stack parm. Enjoy steak and potatoes -- they're K for P, too! There's really no limits.

Jewish or not, think of this as an opportunity to eat fresh, healthy food. Eliminate the packaged foods and carb loading. And, if you're still struggling.... head to TooJays or your favorite local deli!

Coming tomorrow: my simple recipe for a no-fail, tasty sweet potato pie. Mmmm.

If you're hungry

Have you heard of Hungry-Girl? She's my fav! I've been reading her daily e-newsletters for years now (swear I was one of her first 1,000 readers; she now has at least 500,000)... they're packed with information about new food finds, clever recipes to make fatty foods healthier, little tips and tricks, and much more. How else would I have discovered my love of butternut squash?! (If you haven't used it to make "french fries," close this blog immediately and head to your kitchen).

Check out her web site, www.hungry-girl.com, and subscribe to her daily e-newsletter. You'll become addicted, promise. And, while there, check out her cookbooks... she has one that's packed with fab healthy recipes with another cookbook due out any day now. Meet me in West Palm on April 20 for her book signing.... it's her first Florida stop!