What the Freekeh!

Freekeh

Step to the side quinoa, there's a new super food in town- Freekeh! Bet your wondering, just like I thought, what in the world is this freekeh! Freekeh (free-kah) is just wheat, young green wheat that's been toasted & cracked. It's been around forever, like centuries, but now it's the hot food trend. You might see it called frik or farik. Dr. Oz raves about Freekeh.

Freekeh is a superstar of grain. It's fiberlicious, loaded with fiber. Good source of iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium and has all 9 essential amino acids. One little 1/4 cup serving has 5 g. protein!
You can substitute freekeh for brown rice, quinoa, or any grain in recipes. Freekeh has a uniquely bold nutty, smoky, toasty taste.

Chicken & Asparagus Freekeh

You can use this basic real simple Cooked Freekeh recipe and add any steamed or roasted veggie to it; i also added a protein to make this a super healthy, super yummy one dish meal!

Basic Cooked Freekeh Pilaf

1 c. Freekeh, cracked                                              1/4 c. onion, finely chopped

2 1/2 c. chicken broth                                                3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 Tbsp. olive oil                                                         Black Pepper

1/2 tsp kosher salt

In a medium saucepan, put in olive oil, onion & garlic, cook just till onions are translucent, don't brown. Now add the rest of ingredients, and just a few dashes of pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover & simmer for bout 25 minutes. That's it!

To make the Chicken & Asparagus Freekeh, all you need to do is gently stir in 1 c. pieces of chicken breast (i used rotisserie chicken) also add 1 c. cooked asparagus, cut in pieces (I used roasted asparagus). So delicious!!!

Freekeh is a popular middle eastern grain, so alot of the Middle Eastern markets carry it. Some Whole Foods have freekeh (not all of the Whole Foods has it). Trader Joe's carry a cooked freekeh, but here again, not all Trader Joe's has freekeh. So, this chick went online and bought her freekeh @Nuts.com (such cute packaging). This 1 lb. package of freekeh was $4.99, but my shipping was about $7.00! Several other websites carry freekeh.

This chick loves Freekeh!

Flirty Blue Eyeshadow & Eyeliner

Jessica Biel
Wearing Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner -Jade
peoplestylewatch.com

Spring is fresh & fun and so are the shades of blue eyeshadows and eyeliners! From sultry sapphires to bright teals, cobalts, and even the softer seafoam. 

The fun, bright eyeliners just make your eyes really dazzle, and works great on any eye color. This Spring the bright blues, like teal are worn on the bottom of your eyelashes only! The darker blue shades like Sapphire, can be substituted for black eyeliners, on top & bottom lashlines, says James Boehner, Nars director of global artistry.

Christian McCulloch, Dolce & Gabbana, make up artist says to apply light shades of blue, like sky blue on lids. Then to add some drama, put shadow on lower lashlines also, or you can use a deep blue shade like cobalt on outer corners of your eyes.

You can check out Sephora.com for Urban Decay-Glide on Eye Pencil-Deep End. Ulta.com or your local drugstores carry some inexpensive Blue eyeshadows & liners- 

Revlon's- Colorstay Shadow Links - Seafoam

Revlon also has a trio eyeshadow in the blues

Loreal- Infalliable Eye Shadow - Timeless Blue Spark

Wet & Wild- Cobalt Shadow @ Walgreens .99

All of these brands have some fantastic eyeliners in the blues & teals

Be Fun! Be Flirty! Be Daring- Wear the blues!

This chick loves the flirty blue eyeshadow & eyeliner!

Light & Easy Roasted Veggies

Roasted Green Beans

Roasting vegetables are so so easy peasy, delicious, and healthy! I used to drizzle my veggies with olive oil before roasting, but tried something different the other day. I sprayed my veggies with +PamOrganic Olive Oil instead of drizzling with olive oil! By spraying with the Pam Organic Olive Oil made the veggies really really light!
To Roast Vegetables:
Preheat oven 450  (i know alot of recipes use lower temp, but I like oven high & hot for roasting)
Put your veggies of choice on a large cookie sheet.
Spray with Pam Organic Olive Oil, just to coatl
Sprinkle with a little kosher salt or sea salt
Put in oven.
Roast 10 min, remove from oven, with a pair of tongs toss veggies to turn them, spray on a little more Organic Olive Oil, and put back in oven for 10-15 more min. depending on your veggie.
Remove from oven, sprinkle on a little more salt. Now enjoy & be Healthy!

*Depending on the vegetables you use, you can squeeze on a little lemon juice. after roasting. Also, you can be creative and sprinkle on any of your favorite herbs along with your salt. I sprinkle on a little oregano & garlic powder on my roasted zucchini. And sprinkle on a little cayenne pepper to my sweet potatoes!

Roasted Kale

You can roast just about any fresh vegetable. Just take a stroll through your fresh produce section of your grocery store. That was the first time roasting green beans, they really turned out yummy. I ate them by themselves also added them to my salad. We all know how healthy kale is, just trim the stock off bottom & they're ready to roast! To roast zucchini or yellow squash, slice them lengthwise bout 1/4 in thick, & follow recipe above. Broccoli & cauliflower, cut them in med size flowerets, takes a little more roasting because of thickness! Sweet Potatoes, cut in wedges, they take a little more time! Asparagus is wonderful, just roast, sometimes squeeze on lemon juice.
These roasted veggies are good to munch on, use as side dishes, or put in your salads. Know you'll love these delicious light veggies too!

This chick loves her light & easy roasted veggies!

Threads for Thought T-shirts

Valorie V-neck

Sadie Scoop Neck

Threads 4 Thoughts t-shirts are wonderfully comfy t-shirts. I love them! So soft & do not shrink up. Bought my first one a couple of years ago, of all places, Whole Foods! I know sounds weird, in there shopping & saw a whole bin full of these Threads 4 Thoughts t's, so I bought the little Valorie v-neck! Loved it so much, found the cute Sadie scoop neck & bought it! They are so cheap, the little Valorie is 12 bucks & Sadie 15 bucks. As you can tell they are not tight baby doll fitting, they are just comfy fitting.

Threads 4 Thoughts has such a great story- the cute high school sweethearts decided their senior year of high school they wanted to make a positive difference in the world. They began creating graphic t-shirts that they were inspired by & issues they deeply care about. Now about 13 years later, here they still are making t's using sustainable materials.They work closely with 2 charities- International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Their basic t-shirts are 60% organic cotton & 40% Recycled polyester. When i first read that, I thought "what on earth is recycled polyester", did they somehow transform those old leisure suits and make t's out of them! But, it's amazing to me they take those tons of millions of plastic bottles, sort them by color, crush them, melt them down & turn it into yarn, then the yarn is knitted into a finished fabric! Amazing! These t's are so environmentally friendly!

Check out their t's on their website@threadsforthought.com, so many cute, cute colors to pick from. Threads for Thought t-shirts also can be found at Nordstroms, Macy's, Bloomingdales, several specialty boutiques, and yes you can still find them at Whole Foods! With the whole graphic t popularity, it would be fun to buy one of these Threads 4 Thought graphics. I know you will be loving on these comfy t's!

This chick loves Thread for Thought t-shirts!

National Margarita Day & Margarita Recipes

Yes, seriously, there is a National Margarita Day, every year on Feb. 22! Wahoo a day to celebrate & drink one of my favorite cocktails, like I need an excuse to drink one! Those delicious margaritas are shaken up with so many different concoctions- Mango, jalapeno, strawberry, raspberry, watermelon-basil, and how bout those cornoritas, this is just a tiny list of those luscious cocktails! One main thing the best margaritas are made with fresh ingredients - no premix or that icky bottled margarita mixer & made with 100% agave blanco or reposado tequilla.

Lime Squeezer

If you don't have one, these lime squeezer are the best! Not just for margaritas, but anytime you need a lime squeezed or even small lemons. No seeds will get in.


Margaritas are so so easy to make - Here's a great recipe for your basic Lime Hand Shaken Margarita

2 oz.Blanco or Silver Tequilla (a good one)
1 oz. fresh squeezed lime, (usually that's about 1 whole lime)
1 oz. 100% Pure Blue Agave Nectar
Lime wedge, for rim rubbing
Kosher salt, for rim
Prep Glass; Whether you are using a traditional margarita glass or martini glass; take lime wedge & rub the rim of your glass. Put some kosher salt on a plate, & turn your glass upside down on it to coat.
Mix It:  Take a shaker, put in your tequilla, fresh lime juice & agave nectar. Fill shaker about half full of ice. Now shake it up about 15 sec. Strain into your prepped glass full of ice! Sometimes I put a little topper of seltzer on drink before serving.
Drink up! Sooo delicioso & fresh!  Makes 1 drink.
* Best ice to use is small or broken cubes (sorry pic above does not show that)
*To spice up your margarita, you can add a few sprinkles of cayenne pepper to your salt for your rims!

Sure you guys know, there are so many wonderful margaritas out there, we all have our fave places to go to get your margarita fix! Chef Rick Bayless, owner of Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, XOCO, Tortas Frontera &Frontera Fresco, also is the creator of Frontera gourmet foods & did I mention 8 cookbooks! Besides all this he makes a terrific margarita at his restaurants. This is Rick Bayless' table side margarita recipe

Rick Bayless' Topolo Margarita

3/4 c. fresh lime juice, about 3 large limes                          1c. plus 2 Tbsp. blanco tequilla

6 Tbsp. sugar                                                                    1/4 c. Gran Torres orange liqueur

1 c. water                                                                           Lime wedges & coarse salt

Make Limeade: Combine lime juice, sugar and water in a pitcher. Cover & refrigerate if not using right away (no longer than 24 hr)

To Serve: Add tequilla & orange liqueur to the pitcher of limeade. Rub rims of martini glasses with a lime wedge, dip in a dish of coarse salt. In a large shaker, combine half of the margarita mixture w/ half of ice , shake 15-20 sec. Strain into prepared glasses. Repeat w/ rest of ingredients.       Serves 6

Barbakoa House Margarita

This was a kick ass margarita served at Barbakoa Modern Latin Restaurantt, Downers Grove, Il. Instead of salt on the rim, they had one big swoop of salt on the side of the glass. Wasn't sure what you were suppose to do with it, so just went for it, did a big lick up the glass, and took a drink! Damn it was good! Barbakoa makes their House Margarita with hand squeezed lime, organic agave nectar, bourbon barrel aged 100% de Agave Tequilla D'Oro.

El Carmen Restaurant in Los Angeles, CA, have been serving up margaritas a long time. Pretty sure they know about margaritas; they offer over 420 kinds of tequilla! This one sounded really bueno - the Cilantro Ginger Margarita- shaken up with Tonala Reposado, Ginger Liqueur, Agave Syrup, Fresh Lime muddled
w/ Fresh Cilantro. Served on the rocks.

Pretty Petal Pusher

Think this is the prettiest margaritas I've ever seen! This is Colleen Mullaney's margarita recipe

Pretty Petal Pusher

4 oz tequilla                                                                     4 oz. pear nectar

4 oz Lanique rose petal liqueur                                         1 lime, squeezed

In a cocktail shaker filled w/ ice, pour all ingredients & shake well. Let stand to chill, up to 5 min. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with an edible flower, such as a pansy.

Saw this margarita recipe on a spirit website- looked too good not to share

Berry Delicious Margarita

Blend 8 oz. Silver Tequilla, 4 oz Chambord Liqueur, 4 oz. Limoncello, 1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice, 2 c. mixed berries (blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, & Strawberries) in a blender with 3 c. crushed ice. Pour into 4 margarita glasses rimmed with sugar.

Don Julio's Jalapeno Margarita

1 1/2 oz Don Julio Reposado Tequilla                                    1/2 oz Grand Marnier orange liqueur

1 oz. fresh lime juice                                                             Splash of agave nectar

1 jalapeno pepper, muddled                                                  1 Jalapeno pepper for garnish

In a shaker muddle the jalapeno. Add to shaker rest of ingredients with ice. Shake well. Strain into a highball glass over ice. Garnish with the jalapeno pepper.

*Depending who you are serving this to & if they can take the heat, you might consider taking out a few of the seeds from the jalapenos! 

Recipe didn't call for it, but for sure, this chick would add salt to the rim!

Lots of specials going on out there, Sat Feb 22, for National Margarita Day - On The Border Restaurant  is serving their 12 oz House Margarita for $1.00! Or you might head over to  Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville 3PM-4PM- having a complimentary margarita making class, then 5'o clock (somewhere) will have a toast to the official beverage of Margaritaville "The Margarita"!
So whether you like your margaritas on the rocks or frozen; go out & enjoy a margarita (or 2), or even stay home & shake up one of these fabuloso margaritas, Feb. 22 National Margarita Day!

This chick loves National Margarita Day & loves these margarita recipes!

2014 Spring Shoes

Altuzarra Mules

Who said mules can't be sexy! This chick thinks these Altuzarra Spring mules are so sexy(not saying all mules are sexy, because there's alot of ugly ones out there, but these are vampish)! Mules or slides whatever you want to call them, they're back. Spring mules will be seen in all different styles - high heels, kitten heels, chunky heels, closed toes, open toes, pointy toes, boot like, & sandal like!

Jimmy Choo Spring

Jimmy Choo Spring

Pastels & florals, just like in the spring clothing,will be hot for Spring. Jimmy Choo has these beautiful pastel pointy toe heels and pastel strappy sandals. They are out in stores now, just saw these at Saks Fifth Ave.

Kitten heels are hot for Spring. Kitten heels height is usually 1.5 in. to about 2 in. Those cute little kittens will be in pumps, sling backs, sandals and mules. 

Marni Platform S

Platforms & wedges are still out there, in sandals, sneakers, and peep toe booties!

And those oxfords are popping in for Spring. Some are flat, some have heels, and yes, open toed! These 3.1 Phillip Lim oxfords are opened toed & a sling back too!

                                                  

Love Christian Louboutin & really love these Spring cut-out, lace-up sandals; these smokin' hot Christian Louboutin's also come in black (found at Neiman Marcus). 

Christian Dior Pointed Pump

The curved heel seen on the runways, and will be the "must have shoe" for Spring.

  

Herve Leger 

Miu Miu Spring Sandal

   Heels, heels, and more heels! Lastly chunky heels, seen low & high!

Prada Open Toe Bootie

You might even, see ankle & slouchy socks worn with some of the Spring shoes; for I guess you would say a "frolicky, young at heart look"!

There are alot of great kicks out there for 2014 Spring! Some of the Spring/Summer shoe styles, this chick is not a fan, (did not post the Ugly "brutta" ones), believe me when you see some, of those sandals, you will know what I'm talking about!

This chick loves these 2014 Spring shoes!

2014 Spring Pants Silhouettes

       
Even though it's still freezing (and still snowing) outside, thank goodness Spring is just around the corner! According to the Farmer's Almanac, March 20 is officially Spring. Yes, let's all do a happy dance! If you've been shopping lately, you have seen those spring clothes popping up. Because it can still be a little chilly the first part of Spring, it's great to make that transition from winter with a great pair of 2014 Spring pants. Till it warms up you can choose to top them with a feminine blouse,a cute pastel sweater, a sweatshirt, or some sort of jacket. Boxy jackets are popular this Spring. If your pants are voluminous, you might want to wear a a more tailored blazer.
One thing about fashion- one day it's in - next day it's out! Here you have it girls - culottes are back in! Remember those real wide legged pants that flapped in the wind & made you wonder, "is that pants or a skirt?'; well, they're back. They were seen in Fall 2013 in tweeds & wools, but they are here for Spring/Summer too. Culottes are typically real wide legged, hit above the knee, mid-calf, or look like a short skirt. Spring culottes, on the runways, were wide and full of volume or some styles were slim fitting. Slim fitting like Victoria Beckham (pic above left) in her 2014 Spring culottes. Some had pleats, some flat fronted. Culottes will be seen in different fabrics including silk (ex. Etro's culottes above right pic), denim & linen. In my opinion this season's "culottes" are all over the board, some look like your typical wide skirt legged culottes, some look like crop pants, and some even look like a little wider leg Bermuda short! Sooo confusing, think it just depends on the designer & what they want to label them!

Whew- now that we are all confused bout the whole "culottes", lets talk some more pant trends! They can be flowy, voluminous, pleated, slouchy, loose and skinny! White is great for Spring/Summer, especially a wide legged trouser, so classy. Love Rachel Zoe's white trouser, one of her 2014 Spring looks. Also, loving on Etro's silk voluminous pants, they look great and totally comfortable! Another pant still being seen are palazzo pants (long, flowy, wide legged pant). Think I have a palazzo pants obsession, can't remember when I haven't had some type of palazzo pant in my closet! Have had black silk, printed silk, leopard chiffon like, linen, cotton, and knits of all prints. If you have wore palazzo pants, you know what I'm talking about- they are comfortable, you can dress them up or down, where them all seasons, and great for travel! There you have it- what's not to love?

Lastly, a couple more looks for Spring/Summer is the Bermuda short and the skinny trouser. Love both of them, so glad to see both of them for Spring/Summer. This season they are treating the Bermuda short like the pencil skirt. Can be worn with a feminine blouse and cute jacket, as shown in this J.Crew Spring look. Bermuda's and skinny trousers will both be seen in linen, cotton, silk & rayon, also some will be pleated, come flat fronted. 3.1 Phillip Lim has these great lemon abstract skinny trouser in his Spring/Summer collection, I'm in love with them! Both are great with flat sandals,oxfords, but also look fabulous with wedges or pointy pumps.
So many pant options out there for 2014 Spring/Summer. I know for sure, March 20 this chick will be wearing some kind of a Spring pant, maybe worn with a bootie & jacket (depending on weather), but will be wearing them!
This chick loves the 2014 Spring/Summer pant silhouettes!