The Great Oil Leak 2010 Poster Project

A dear friend of mine is an amazing graphic designer in the Dallas area. He recently submitted a poster to The Great Oil Leak 2010 Poster Project. I just had to share his amazing design because he was selected to be a part of the South Louisiana shows! How exciting! The first show will be at Bricks & Bombs Gallery in Baton Rouge, LA on August 6th at 7:00pm. If you are in town, holler at me and we can go together!

Be Positive, Brandon Jantz

Be Positive (w/a little edit), Brandon Jantz

You can purchase this print and others at Brandon's Etsy store. 

Mellow Mushroom

Today I had lunch with the "Lunch Bunch", which is an awesome group of sassy girls that get together once a month or so for lunch...obviously! They are fabulous and I have a blast with them! To celebrate one's birthday, we headed to Mellow Mushroom.

Walking into this restaurant is fun in itself! The decor is so bright and spirited with posters and designs that look like they fell right out of the "Love Not War" era. I love it! This now-successful chain restaurant started as a hole-in-the-wall pizza and beer joint dreamed up by three college students in the 1970s. They wanted a place that reflected their eccentric personalities, progressive values and pursuit of quality...and revolved around their main food groups...pizza and beer! Today, with over 100 locations, each is locally-owned and operates around the same philosophy.

The menu revolves around pizzas, hoagies, calzones and a few other items. Being a fan of Mellow Mushroom, I know exactly what I want before I even walk into the place...The Mega-Veggie Pizza! This dish is packed with goodness...sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, green peppers, banana peppers, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, artichoke hearts, tofu, feta cheese...and then black olives and broccoli are options, but I opt out. So stinkin' good!

If you are hanging around the LSU campus and are looking for a good pizza, head on over to Mellow Mushroom!

Gnocchi...I love you.

Gnocchi (pronounced nee-okkee) is a small piece of wonderful! These small dumplings are an excellent alternative to pasta. Gnocchi, actually Italian for "lump", is most commonly made with potatoes but can be found with flour, squash, etc. Traditional and fabulous gnocchi has three simple ingredients: potatoes, flour and a pinch of salt.

source

I've read that gnocchi recipes are not for the faint at heart. Recipes date back to the twelfth century in Northern Italy where, as you can imagine, the little potato pillows were made by hand and with love! You have to get everything just right, our your gnocchi can be mushy or rubbery. Yuck!

source

Thankfully, for me...you can find them in a vacuum-sealed packages in most supermarkets. Chris and I have found gnocchi at Whole Foods, the farmer's market, and even Sam's. I just urge you to read the labels because some of the mass produced are made with egg...so just be weary!

Cooking the gnocchi is a piece of cake. Simply drop the dumplings into boiling water and wait for them to start floating to the top. That is your cue to grab your colander because they are ready to go!

There are tons of options when serving gnocchi, so get creative! It can be served with pesto, tomato sauce, really any sauce or with veggies like eggplant...yum! Last night, Chris served up some gnocchi with a tomato sauce that donned onions and bell peppers. Super simple but super tasty!

(admittedly, not the best photo!)

What is your favorite way to have gnocchi?

Latte e Miele

Last week I had one REALLY bad day. Chris, being wonderful and knowing that I enjoy eating my feelings, made the perfect suggestion..."Let's ride on out to Latte e Miele for some gelato! That will make you feel better!" And although I felt a little guilty about consuming so much dairy...on the whole, he was right...I felt much better after stuffing my face with gelato!

According to their fabulous website, Latte e Miele, meaning "Milk and Honey", is a traditional Roman Gelateria. Their Italian-style coffee is brewed to order and their gelato is prepared in-house daily. They use local and seasonal ingredients in their original and unique recipes AND their gelato contains 40% less fat than commercial ice creams...they had me at local and seasonal! The farm fresh, whole milk is from Kleinpeter Dairy Farm and the sugar is 100% Louisiana Pure Cane Sugar. Zero preservatives and zero-trans fat makes this all-natural treat well worth the drive!

When we walked in, there were a few people in line ahead of us and I was shocked to see them trying sample after sample. I literally think they tried EVERY flavor available! I couldn't believe it...how rude, right? Nope! The employees were getting a kick out of it! The pride they had in their product was obvious and they wanted to make sure every customer was able to select the perfect gelato flavor. So Chris and I joined in the fun!

The more I tried the more difficult the decision became...they were all so good! Eventually, I decided among their original flavor, Milk and Honey. They even added some fresh blackberries...it was to die for...literally, I thought about it!

Chris decided on Tiramisu and it also tasted like a little piece of heaven!

If you are in the mood for a sweet cold treat, look no further!

You can follow Latte de Miele on Twitter @LeMGelato or on Facebook.

Weekend Yard Sale

Check another one off the list! The clock is ticketing to get my summer to-do list knocked out...but I'm staying positive. I got one step closer over the weekend when we hosted our first (and probably last) YARD SALE!

It was a fun and great experience that I think we all agreed was only worth having once. Our goal was to get rid of all the extra stuff that was cluttering up our home...and we did. Anything that wasn't sold we donated immediately so the detox was successful...and we made a little extra cash! We didnt' have any crazy early birds or hagglers...so, all in all...great weekend! 

The Drunken Fish

In our quest to eat at restaurants we have not yet been, Chris and I stumbled upon The Drunken Fish for dinner. To add to our enjoyment, this is one of Urbanspoon's Best Baton Rouge Restaurants, so we are tearing through the list at a good pace!

We walked in at a good time because the place was dead empty. We were greeted right away and waited no time for our green teas to arrive. It was great!

The menu is a beast! There are so many options and even a separate category full of vegetarian dishes. We started with, of course, miso soup. It was delicious!

We then enjoyed the Aged Dashi Tofu appetizer, which is deep fried tofu in a special soy based sauce and flavored with ginger and green onions. I typically do not enjoy tofu out-right like this...but it wasn't rubbery like I find some fried tofu can be...it was very tasty!

The menu is a great combination of Japanese and Vietnamese influences that really create a unique cuisine. But I wasn't interested in any of that...I am a sushi addict...so I went straight to the rolls.  To my excitement, there was more than just the Avocado and Cucumber Rolls for me! I mean, I ordered those too BUT, finally a specialty roll that isn't full of fish! The Fitness Roll is cucumber, avocado, lettuce and seaweed salad wrapped in soybean paper. It is a larger roll so you look like you stuffed 10 pieces of gum in your month while you are eating...but worth it!

Disclaimer: Although I am a self-proclaimed fatty, I did not eat all this sushi alone!

The Drunken Fish is a unique treasure hidden right off the LSU campus. We had great service and didn't spend a fortune for it. Next time we head that way, I am planning on enjoying some of their other tasty looking entrees but...when the mood strikes for sushi I don't have the power to say no!

Safely Clean Clothes

I am a semi-professional clothes washer. I'm meticulous when sorting and I read labels like it's my job. Switching to a more responsible detergent was a difficult step for me because I didn't feel like anything was getting my clothes clean "enough". I'm not a stinky person or even a germ-a-phob...I'm just crazy about laundry.

I took the giant leap of faith and tried soap nuts. There is a cult-like following with soap nuts...some are just nuts about soap nuts...unfortunately, I am not one of those people. It didn't work for me...maybe I wasn't doing it right, who knows...I'm just not a fan.

While shopping at my favorite place on Earth...Sam's Club...my eyes fell upon Ecos Liquid Laundry Detergent. On a whim, we purchased to try it out....and VOILA...our search was over! This earth-friendly product has the warm and calming smell of lavender...which is one of my favorite smells! It is safe for high efficiency and front loading appliances. AND, it has a coconut-based softener in it! YAY! Since it is GIANT, it takes me a few months to work through it...so it is eco-friendly and budget wonderful...my favorite combination!

My search for an alternative to dryer sheets has not been as successful. I just purchased the Static Eliminator, which came 2 per box with an estimated 500 usage per sheet. The reviews were all very positive so I was beyond excited. However, I've noticed that my clothes come out great but towels and sheets are a different story. I'm dealing with it for now...but the search continues.

If you are having more luck than me, please share!

Zoe's Kitchen

Chris and I were in the mood for something quick and casual for dinner last night and decided on Zoe's Kitchen in Towne Center.

When you walk in you are hit with the floor to ceiling color! Decorating with oranges, blues, yellows and other bright and crisp colors, this restaurant screams modern and fun.

The menu is simple and casual, donning mainly sandwiches. It has a Mediterranean vibe and all of the menu items are built around fresh vegetables, cheeses, olive oils along with produce, chicken and fish. The chain's philosophy revolves around fresh ingredients and moderation for a well balanced diet.

Although I appreciate the fresh ingredients vibe, there wasn't a whole lot of options for vegetarians. Only one hot item was available, the Spinach Quesadillas, which I ordered with their specialty slaw. The quesadillas weren't anything special...very tasty, but nothing that blew me away. The slaw on the other hand, was outstanding!

Chris went with the Grilled Feta Sandwich with caramelized onions, feta cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. I stole a bite, and it was pretty yummy! I will definitely go with a sandwich next time!

Although there wasn't a ton of veggie items to choose from, we will definitely be heading back. The items we ordered and the other sandwich options looked very tasty and we enjoyed the atmosphere. Our meat loving friends would really enjoy this place, so we encourage you to check it out!

Southside Produce Market

Chris and I had the best intentions of going to the Farmer's Market on Saturday...but when the alarms started going off...those intentions went out the window! Despite our laziness, we still needed fresh veggies and fruits for this week so we headed to our next best option,  Southside Produce Market.

I love their logo!

Not all of their produce is local and organic, but I feel better purchasing produce here than at a grocery store chain. They do label where it came from...which is so helpful!

Southside is open daily, so if you are in the need of fresh produce, I encourage you to check it out!

 They also have a great selection of marinades, dressings, jams, etc.

Awesome Giveaway!

Lavender and Lilies is offering a great Friday giveaway opportunity! She is featuring Stacey with Petite de Lis Papiere and some of her amazing personalized stationery! I'm a big fan of Petite de Lis because her products are top quality and she has great pride in what she does! Click on over and show your love TODAY!

The Busy Girl Book and Wine Club Meeting #1

Last night was the first meeting of the Busy Girl Book and Wine Club. We intended to discuss The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin but we mainly sat around and chatted over wine. It was a refreshing evening with friends that I desperately needed and enjoyed!

I kept the menu hassle-free and easy. I served Garden Pasta, Finger Sandwiches, Spinach and Artichoke Bread Bowls, an assortment of cheeses and cupcakes. Check out some photos of the spread:

Chris' "Paella"

I love it when Chris gets a fire of creativity about him and just starts throwing whatever we have in the kitchen together for dinner. When I do this we get spaghetti, when he does it...wow!

After our Red Stick Farmer's Market venture, Chris came home and started working his magic! He created, when he is calling,  a paella, but what I discovered after a Google search, isn't technically accurate. Despite it's actual name, it was delicious nonetheless! Enjoy!

First, he chopped 1 onion, 1 green bell pepper and 4 garlic cloves and put them to work with some vegetable oil  in the Wok with some salt & pepper and a dash of chili powder. Next he added, diced okra, 1 can whole kernel yellow corn, 1 package of Soyrizo "chorizo", 1 chopped red pepper, 1 can of green chilies and a little more salt & pepper to taste.

After about 10 minutes, he added 2 cups cooked white rice. He let the flavors come together for about 30 minutes before serving. And he garnished with green onions and cherry tomatoes.

This dish definitely had a kick but the bites with the cherry tomatoes really cooled things down without taking away from the flavor. We also steamed some tortillas and had mini burritos for a few bites, down right amazing!

If you try this recipe, let me know how it goes!

Red Stick Farmer's Market

On Saturday, Chris and I joined some dear friends at the Red Stick Farmer's Market. I was like a kid in a candy store! Walking down the street, I couldn't help but notice the local farmers beaming with pride as the fruits of their labor were appreciated and purchased. We walked away with gorgeous sweet peppers, okra, cherry tomatoes, blueberries, figs, peaches, mixed lettuce and more...and we might have spent $30! Try doing that at a grocery store chain!

The Red Stick Farmer's Market is a rain or shine event every Saturday morning from 8:00am until noon on Fifth Street and Main in dowtown Baton Rouge. They also operate every Thursday morning at 7248 Perkins Road and, seasonally, every Tuesday in the parking lot of the Unitarian Church at 8470 Goodwood Blvd. How exciting that Baton Rouge has the need for a local farmer's market three times a week!

The journey your food takes to get to your dinner table can be a rough and rocky one, which is why purchasing produce that is local and in-season is so imperative to the "green movement". Shopping at local farmer's markets in an enjoyable and inexpensive way to do JUST THAT!

Bravo! Cucina Italiana

Bravo is the perfect name for this restaurant! Chris and I had such an amazing and relaxing weekend...which included a Saturday lunch at a new restaurant...Bravo! Cucina Italiana.

The dimmed lighting and the warm decor create the perfect ambiance for a date! As we were sitting there, I told Chris that this would be the perfect place for a first date because the dimmed lighting at night would make EVERYONE look their best! It is a very open floor plan so the restaurant feels giant. The kitchen is open so you get a sneak peak into what is going on and the smells of the tasty cooking lingers in the air! My mouth was watering when we walked in the door!

The service was outstanding! Sean, our waiter, was very helpful and attentive but no where near annoying. I couldn't make up my mind on the entree and he gave me a bunch of great pointers. Which leads to my next point, there were several vegetarian options!

Each table is able to enjoy bread and dipping sauce. It was so good, we have to have a bread basket refill!

Chris started with the Bravo Chopped Salad which is chopped greens, cucumber, red onion, tomato, olives, Feta cheese and traditional Italian dressing. Talk about yummy...and giant!

He then enjoyed the Cheese Ravioli Al Forno, which is housemade cheese ravioli striped with basil-pine nut pesto and tomato sauces over Alfredo sauce. It was really tasty and the presentation was appealing!

I was torn between several pasta dishes but finally settled on the Rigatoni Melanzana, which is roasted eggplant, fresh tomato sauce and Mozzarella topped with fresh basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano. HOLY WOW! The eggplant literally melted in my mouth and was the perfect choice!

This Italian restaurant needs to be on your list if you haven't enjoyed it already! We loved it and can't wait to go back!

Happy Friday!

Thank goodness this week is almost over! It has been a long and exhausting one! I'm really excited about this weekend because Chris and I are joining two of our dear friends for the Farmer's Market tomorrow! Sadly, I have never been able to go so I am super pumped and will take TONS of photos!

Then, I'm getting my HAIR CUT!!! YAY!!! Now that the wedding is over, I no longer have to keep pretending to grow it out...it has been a LONG time coming! I'm going to be short and sassy again and I can't wait!

After that, we have no real plans for Saturday. Can you believe it?? We are going to do some house projects and putter around! It is going to be a fabulous day, I can feel it now!

What do you have planned for this weekend?