In the kitchen-Tilapia with quinoa and shredded brussel sprouts

Somthing I want to focus on in the new year is eating healthy and fresh foods on a regular basis,  With busy schedules its easy to just grab a meal on the go and not think twice about what we put into our bodies.  Here is a quick and yummy dinner idea I had the other night made right in my kitchen:

Broiled Lemon Tilapia with shredded brussel sprouts and a side of Organic Tri colored Quinoa.
Serves 1 (easily adjusted for larger quantities)

Ingredients:
4oz Tilapia Filet
2 Lemon slices
1/4 tbs butter sliced
Trader Joe's 21 seasoning salute-I love this stuff! so much flavor without all the salt
Tin foil to make a foil packet

2 slices of Hormel uncured natural bacon-diced
about 8 large (~109g) shredded brussel sprouts (I wash the sprouts, cut off the ends, remove loose leaves and chop)
1 shallot diced (~20g)
Black pepper to taste

1 cup uncooked rinsed Trader Joe's Organic Tri-colored Quinoa (makes 4 servings, each serving is roughly 150g cooked)
Repunzel Vegan Vegetable Bouillon-1 cube
2 cups water

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven or convection oven to 400F

2.  Thaw Tilapia in cold water

3.  On medium-low heat fry up diced bacon slices to taste (I like them crispy), once bacon is almost done add the diced shallot to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes.  Add the shredded brussel sprouts to the pan and sautee for 15-20 minutes.  I like to see them brown a little while cooking.  Add black pepper to taste.

4.  While brussel sprouts are cooking, in a small sauce pan bring the water, bouillon cube, and rinsed Quinoa to a boil.  Reduce heat to simmer and cover-heating for 10-15 minutes until water is evaporated and the quinoa has a transluscent color.  After cooked remove from heat and fluff with a fork prior to serving.

5.  Season thawed Tilapia with TJ 21 seasoning salute (I use about 1/4-1/2 tsp) on both sides.  Put thin slices of butter on the foil, place the tilapia on top of the butter.  Place 2 lemon slices on top and add the rest of the butter slices.  Fold the foil over to make a foil packet-this will cook the fish and allow the lemon and butter to add flavor without making a mess.

6.  Place the foil packet into the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until Tilapia is fully cooked-it should be flakey when done.  Time may vary based on ovens and size of fillets. 

For those counting calories this yummy dinner comes just under 450 calories!
Enjoy!

Project Life 2013-so it begins...

Project Life 2013: Cover Page
 

Happy New Year!!  Hoping everyone's 2013 is off to a great start.  I am starting off my year in my favorite way-scrapbooking.  Scrapbooking has always been a way for me to escape and just let my creativity flow.  My way to tell a story and capture memories to share with others.  I am always looking to learn new techniques/styles and don't like to limit myself.  Last year I came across Project Life and I loved the simplicity of it.  I did not purchase the kits that are available for this-but there are some great ones out there as well as awesome freebies posted regularly!  Instead I want to keep my own handcrafted element in the project. 

With scrapbooking today there are so many different trends and fads constantly changing-its impossible to keep up!!  This is why I can't wait to see what my results with project life will become by the end of this year-something more streamlined, focusing on the importance of photos and journaling.  My goal is to sit down one day each week and complete my pages on time-updates on everyday life whether they be big or small. 

I look forward to this project and will update weekly with photos on my progress. 

Happy Scrapping!

Good Bye 2012

My creative scrapz in review of 2012:  various cards, invitations and scrapbooks created throughout 2012.  I'm looking forward to more creations in the new year.

Other changes I'm hoping to implement in the new year is regular posts on here with new themes to keep me organized and motivated to post.  Be on the look out for:

In the kitchen-my adventures with food and restaurant reviews

All things handmade-various projects that I hope to work on throughout the year including paper crafts, crochet, jewelry and other crafts that I may explore

Wilder zoo-updates on my lovable pets

Project Life-weekly update on a new to me scrapbooking style I want to try out for 2013 to help me stay focused and complete an album by the end of the year.  Inspired by Project life started by Becky Higgins. 

Ugly Paper Challenge-Will return when I start this up again with scrapbook.com

I may add others as they come up through out the new year!

Wishing everyone a safe and festive New year!

Happy Holidays!

Started off the Christmas season with the annual Amica Christmas Party near Barrigton, IL with Pat and his parents.  Its always a good time seeing the organs played.  Instead of the regular concerts, this year the organ accompanied a couple of silent films-christmas themed of course.  The night ended with food, drinks, and a ride on the indoor carousel.



I've had mixed feelings for the holidays this year, honestly really not feeling them at all.  Cut down my own christmas tree from a local farm-something I started last year and will do so again.  I did make the best of it and hung out with friends downtown, hunting down mushroom ornaments to add to my tree in honor of my mom-one tradition I will continue well into the future.  Christmas eve dinner was the first time I cooked a Polish traditional dinner by myself and it was delicious, and the Christmas Day dinner that followed was also enjoyed by all.  The highlight of the season for me was hand crafting a christmas wreath for my mom-something I hope will become a new tradition for each passing holiday.

Of course the pups enjoyed thier Christmas Bones:

The Holidays were bitter sweet this year but I know surrounding myself with friends and family is what made them a happy experience that I hope will grow as the years go on.  Maybe next year we will acutally get snow!!

Happy Holidays!

Pumpkin Spice Donuts...

 I've been on a pumpkin kick lately-pumpkin pancakes, waffles, etc.  I tried my hand at homemade pumpkin spice donuts using this recipe I pinned from Pinterest.  I didn't have any baking powder on hand so I used 1/2tsp of baking soda instead and all is yummy!

Chipboard Geocaching album...(Part 1)

A couple of weeks ago, I got together with some friends and I worked on a geocaching chipboard album.  Using some goodies I found at this summers scrapbooking expo in St. Charles-I decided to go with a fall/nature theme that complimented the photos.  Exploring state parks in the fall with friends is always a great adventure guarenteed to provide beautiful sights.

I love scrapping with others-exchanging ideas and getting inspiration from eachother.  This is still a work in progress and I will update with a future post when it is complete.

New Traditions

Candles lit to honor my mother on All Saints Day...I look forward to lighting these candles again on saturday at the cemetary when I get a chance to visit her.  A new to me tradition that I will always look forward to in years to come.