Celebrating at Ma and Pa Apple's House

Last night we went over to my parent's house for dinner and my mom had mentioned that she would make a few things for dinner.  We have a rule that we don't eat before we come over to my parents' house- for several hours if we can help it, because while I practice moderation, my mom does not when it comes to preparing foods for her guests.  She is a self-taught gourmet chef and does everything in lightening speed, so I'm honored to be able to share her meal with you all!

Here is the whole spread.  It's missing a veggie salad for some reason. 

Mind you- there were 4 of us:

 Sauteed vegetables:

 

Vegetable-stuffed trout:

 

2 different kinds of chicken:

 

 Stuffed Mushrooms:

 

Chicken Piroshki:

 

 My mom's famous fried potatoes (quite possibly the reason my dad married her and why they have been married for over 35 years):

 

We also had to have dessert because we were obviously still starving after this meal.  My mom showed off her coffee skills with this bad boy and we brought some See's candy:

 

The chef and I:

 

 My date for the evening:

 

 I could possibly suffer the silent treatment for the picture below, but it was too good not to show.  My dad is quite intrigued with the concept of blogging and wanted to show the muscat grapes he bought us.  The rest is just magic- look at these two!

 

Celebrating

I interrupt the typical self-involved, fiber-filled posting for a second to recognize the significance of our dinner. 

While we were a day early, we came over to celebrate an event that happened 20 years ago, on October 24, 1989.   It was the day that we completed our immigration from the former Soviet Union and arrived to our new home in the San Francisco Bay Area.  I was only 5 and without a single care- ready to start my adventure in America, filled with Mickey Mouse dreams and Bubblicious Bubble Gum wishes.  My parents arrived with the fear that comes with abandoning one's family and moving to start your life all over again.  Their dream, similar to that of thousands of other Soviet immigrants (including my husband's family) was to take their children out of an environment that provided no future to a place that would give them new hopes.

We say that there are few real heroes in the world, but I would disagree- the selfless act of my parents has given my brother and I opportunities that would never be possible in Ukraine.  It has allowed us to meet our spouses and build meaningful lives for ourselves.  Their hard work has shown us that rolling your sleeves up works better than just thinking about it and hoping things work out.  For this, I will be forever grateful, even if I have a funny way of showing it sometimes!

My parents and I, 1989

P.S. I think I did overdose on Bubblicious gum that year.

Wedding Recap- Part 4

If you've missed any of the wedding recaps, please look at Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3!  If you haven't I congratulate you and hope you keep on reading as I post gratuitous photos of us (because we paid for the rights and I want my money's worth)!

After the long process of getting ready, we were off to take some pictures outside.  One of my favorite aspects of our venue is the somewhat (OK, really) touristy/historic San Francisco location, Fisherman's Wharf.

Before we could get to the outdoor locations, we had to see each other first.  We wanted to squeeze in as many pictures as possible, so we chose to take pictures before the ceremony.  Our first look was fun and it still kept the ceremony just as meaningful.

We then gunned it outside to get some group shots and to enjoy the scenery. 

It was incredibly windy, which made for some great shots, but about 4 pissed off bridesmaids. It's OK- at least I didn't make them wear matching shoes, jewelery, or hairstyles.

Sorry Ladies- half of these guys are taken!

We also went to the courtyard of the property, where our cocktail hour was held and took lots more pictures:

I'm pretty sure the husband hates this picture, but it's one of my favorites:

I leave you with this shot because it shows our power. It also happens to capture a full advertisement on the panel directly to the left of us- not sure if that was supposed to be in the shot, but the intent was good! 

I'll be back with regular posting soon!

Egg Muffins

I've had a bit of an obsession with eating egg sandwiches for breakfast.  I even had cereal the other day and it didn't keep me full, so why fix something when it ain't broken.

I made these cute little eggbeater muffins for quick grab and go during the week- either by themselves, or on whole wheat toast:

 

(I find everything in a muffin tin cute, but that's just me!)

This wasn't hard to do at all and took about 3 minutes of prep time:

• Sliced bell peppers- half large or 3-4 mini
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup frozen or canned corn
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Salt/pepper

•  4 servings of Eggbeaters or eggwhites
  

Throw everything but the eggbeaters in the muffin tins then pour the egg product of your choice into the tins, covering evenly.  I threw this in the oven for 20 minutes and it was just right.  I suppose normal people add cheese, but I forgot.  I'll do it next time.

 

How to Keep the Magic Alive

That's right- I'm talking about marriage.  Since we have been married for a little under 2 months, it's important to keep the spark going.  I did just that tonight.  Here are my rules:

1. Buy your man some chocolate at Trader Joe's

(Um, OK- I take back the comment about man hands from yesterday.  I need moisturizer, please)

2. Give your man some protein

This was new to me and good!  A little too much sodium, but a great quick meal!

3. Don't forget the bread and compliment his hands so he doesn't feel self-conscious the next time you make him model for your blog

4. Show that you are a total bad-ass by eating your burger bunless

5. And by eating these new spicy peppers straight from the can

7. And by eating sugar snap peas straight from the bag for dessert

8. Watch The Ultimate Fighter with him on TV

9. Make juice together

10. Talk about your next honeymoon (OK, vacation- but I call all vacations honeymoons now)!!

Question: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?  What is the best vacation you have ever had?

Peace out, Lovelies!

He Wins!

Happy Tuesday night!  I was going to share my dinner with you, but mine was so ugly and way too random, that I shared the husband's instead.  And those are his man hands, not mine.  Mine are way nicer.

We walked into the house and I asked him what he wanted for dinner and the answer was "Fish Sandwich."  Who asks for a fish sandwich?

Anyways, I went with it and here is what went in it:

• Broiled dover sole filet
• 2 slices of Nature's Pride bread
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Onion
• Bell peppers
• Sweet Chili Sauce
• 2 slices of melted cheddar cheese

He finished his dinner and polished off the remaining bag of cashews.  OK, I helped too!  I desperately need to take a shower and get to bed since I am going to work early tomorrow.


Oh- and since I looked at my list, I decided that I was a little too negative on my honesty award answers, so here are a few facts that are a little more fun, yet honest:

• I have musical Turrets- this means I burst into random song at any given time
• I speak 2.5 languages (Russian and English, and a little Spanglish)
• I pretend like I'm 2 when I see my nephew and I don't care
• My friends call me 'mother'- I still don't remember why
• I love people watching more than most activities.  Riding public transportation is a blast for people like me!

P.S. Next time you raid the office candy stash for a pre-workout snack, remember that 2 mini Snickers bars will make you nearly sprint on the treadmill for about 10 minutes...I'm just sayin'

Fake it Till You Make it Soup

Happy Tuesday!  Monday was a blur with being back in the office after several days away and just trying to get back into the daily grind.  I was starting to feel sick and all I wanted when I got home was some soup!  One little problem- I don't make soup.  I mean, I do- but it doesn't ever taste as good as my mom's. 

I remembered the fabulous quick soup Abby made and scrounged through our fridge and found the following:

• Veggie broth
• Mini red bell peppers
• Red onion
• Carrots
• Spinach
• French green beans

I put the broth on the stove in a large pot and threw in all the veggies except for the spinach- which I added at the very end.  I also added an insane amount of paprika, cumin, and tabasco for an added kick.

It was easy, healthy and fast- perfect for a Monday night.  I went to sleep early and I may have kicked this cold already!

Honesty
My bud Mari from Namestemari.blogspot.com was kind enough to present me with the Honest Scrap Award!  I think this is my first blog award and I'm so excited!!

As part of the award, I have to tell you 10 honest things about myself:

1. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up
2. I am very absent-minded and forget everything all the time
3. I have a new unhealthy obsession with Tabasco
4. I've always battled against my curly hair and finally just let it be
5. I almost always pick my menu item ahead of time at restaurants if I can get a hold of the menu
6. I quit Splenda and miss it dearly but know it's bad for me
7. I get angry and pissy if I don't get in regular workouts
8. I have a problem with starting and not finishing projects
9. I am a huge procrastinator and am convinced it works
10. I still have a fat kid complex and have to remind myself I'm no longer that awkward Middle School kid.

Now I pick the following ladies:

http://hernewweigh.blogspot.com/
http://everydayfoodiecanada.blogspot.com/
http://abbsveganeats.wordpress.com/
http://completelydelicious.wordpress.com/
http://simplyfabulousnow.wordpress.com/
http://howsweet.wordpress.com/
http://grazewithme.blogspot.com/

Here are the rules:
1. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design
2. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.
3. Share "10 Honest Things" about myself.

Have a lovely Monday!

Sunday Cooking and Costco Love

Hi Guys! 

I'm back from Dallas and glad to be home.  After getting 10 hours of sleep last night and having brunch with my fam (Hi Elena and Stan!!), we went to Costco and I came home to reunite with my love- my kitchen (and of course the husband)!

I made two random dishes that were approved by my royal taste tester and wanted to share them with you!

Cashew Sesame Lemon Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 Lemon- Use one half to juice, the other half to cut up later
  
• 5-6 Chicken organic breasts or lean thighs (we found organic chicken at Costco)
  
• 3 Tbsp cashews- crushed (use your fingers, it's fun!)
  
• 1 Tbsp Sesame seeds
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and brown in olive oil on high heat for about 7 minutes each side.  
2. As you are browning the chicken, squeeze out the juice of one large lemon.  
3. Transfer the chicken to a non-stick baking pan and sprinkle the chicken with cashews and sesame seeds
4. Cut up the other half of the lemon and top the chicken
5. Bake the chicken at about 380 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until done
6. Give them to your taste tester to make sure they are fully cooked and enjoy!


I also made an old recipe, but with a new twist.  Stuffed mushrooms can quickly go from a healthy concept to a diet DON'T.  I decided to make a small portion to go along with the chicken:

Stuffed Mushrooms- My Way 

Ingredients:

• Desired amount of mushrooms- I believe I used portabell mushrooms, 'unstuffed' and cleaned
• 2 Tbsp goat cheese
• 1 Tbsp dried cranberries
• Salt
• Pepper

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and place the unstuffed mushrooms on a baking dish for 5-8 minutes- add salt and pepper to taste
2. Remove from oven and add goat cheese and dried cranberry mixture
3. Place back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes to get melty and a little more toasted
4. Remove from oven and enjoy



I'll be back tomorrow with regular posting.  I'll leave you with a couple of other cool finds from Costco (my version of food porn):


Mini Bell Peppers

Mini Pears (I roasted them)

Ciao, Bellas and Fellas!