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Week In Review: The Vacation Edition

Posted on September 2, 2013 by kissmybroccoli

Hey guys! Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a FANTASTIC weekend! I’m recapping my vacation today and I’ve got a LOT to cover…so let’s get to it!!

Saturday:

At 3am, running on fumes and maybe a few questionable energy drinks, the man-friend and I finally made it to Florida…but not quite to our destination of Panama City. Instead of driving another hour or so and waking our friends in the middle of the night, we decided to tuck into a little hotel, get a bit of shut-eye and meet them in ~~the morning~~ a few hours…

For BREAKFAST!

We went to a little place called Egg & I and I swear, it took me FOREVER to decide what to get…there were so many choices! I ended up going with the Wild Mushroom & Veggie Hash topped with poached eggs and feta with rye toast and tomato hollandaise on the side. I wasn’t a fan of the sauce, but omg, that skillet…one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever eaten out! And I just HAD to get a picture of my friend’s Banana Nut Waffle topped with bananas, strawberries, and whipped cream…isn’t it gorgeous?!

Sunday:

On Sunday, we planned on spending the day at the beach since we didn’t really get much time the day before, but about an hour after I took this pic, a “monsoon” came out of nowhere! So instead, we lounged around the condo snacking and watching crap TV until it was time for dinner…

Schooner's

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from our meal when our friends suggested we go to Schooner’s beach bar for dinner, but I was pleasantly surprised with myself AND my entree creation!

I wasn’t really feeling any of the salad combos on the menu, so I decided to get a little “obnoxious” for a change and make something of my own. I took their Greek Salad as my base, kept the sun-dried tomatoes and kalamata olives, nixed the capers and the croutons, added red onions, substituted feta for mozzarella (Really, why would you use anything else on a GREEK salad?!), and topped it with a seared tuna steak!

Schooner's Seared Tuna Salad

Helloooooo gorgeous!!

Monday:

Yeah, this pretty much explains Monday. 😉

Tuesday:

After finally getting to sleep LATE, I enjoyed some deeeeelicious OIAJ on the balcony and then spent the rest of the afternoon just hanging out with our friends before it was time to part ways. We piggy-backed on the end of their vacation but then made plans for some solo time in Gulf Shores. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn which wasn’t a bad place (though I wish our balcony had faced the beach) but the best part?

Coffee AND TEA in the morning and FLAVORED WATER the rest of the day! Oh, and do you see those little baked goodies under that dome back there?

Mixed Berry Oat Bars

Mixed berry oat bars with dried blueberries, dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, oats, and a little sprinkle of sugar on top…they taste like muffins…they taste like scones…they make you wanna

Smack yo’ mama!!

I had one of these every.single.day we were there (and may or may not have snuck some home with me). I actually asked the staff where they got these and after an EXTENSIVE Google search, came up with nothing so now, my mission in life is recreate these babies!

Wednesday:

On Wednesday, the man-friend asked if I wanted to go shopping to which I answered, “Eh, not really, but if you really want to go…”

Two and a half hours later HE was dragging ME out of the stores! See? I told you I have a problem! I mean seriously, the ‘gators had to frickin’ CHASE me away!

After my narrowing encounter with death, we came back and spent some time at the beach/pool, but then we were out AGAIN for some nighttime fun…

I totally kicked the man-friend’s ARSE in putt putt!

But then he redeemed himself in skee ball AND air hockey!

Thursday:

On Thursday, I decided to get up early and walk the beach so I could watch the sunrise…

Sunrise over Orange Beach

It was breath-taking!

Originally, I had thought I’d go back to bed after snapping a few pics, but I actually had to walk pretty far down the beach to get a good view so by the time I was done, I was pretty energized…

Might as well make the most of it, right? 😉 Oh and for the record, that’s just some REALLY good lighting…no way my arms are that ripped! Lol

Then it was time for breakfast!

Yogurt, berries, and PLENTY of peanut butter for me…

Overpriced hotel bar buffet for the man-friend! For the record, he said mine was probably better! 😉

Friday:

I got up early again on Friday to watch the sunrise and soak up as much of the sun, sand, and ocean as I could before we headed back to Tennessee. It was a LONNNNNNG trip home with lots of traffic and mayyyyybe a small detour to catch up with this gal…

I only wish we had had more than an hour or so to spend together! Time went by WAY too fast!

So, if you made it through all of that…CONGRATULATIONS! Come back tomorrow and I’ll give you a sticker! 😉

But for now, how about hopping on over to Meghan’s neck of the webs to see what everyone else was up to last week!

Do you ever get “obnoxious” when ordering at restaurants?

When was the last time you played putt-putt?

Posted in Restaurant Review, Travel, Week in Review | Tagged beach, cheese, eggs, Florida, Gulf Shores, Panama City, peanut butter, salad, seafood, vacation | 31 Comments

Currently: August

Posted on August 31, 2013 by kissmybroccoli

Hey guys!!

Oh, how I’ve missed you! The man-friend and I got in late last night from our vacation in Panama City/Gulf Shores and today has been a WHIRLWIND to say the least! Getting things unpacked, running to the farmers’ market, grocery shopping, oh, and being sure to give Tiger a bit of love! I’ll definitely be doing a little recap post from our trip (including all the delicious eats), but since today is the LAST day of August (?!), I thought I’d pop in real quick with my monthly “currentlies”…and a few vacation deets! 😉

Current Book:

I took Fifty with me to the beach and while I did get a few chapters read, I’ll be honest, most of my time was spent flapping around in the ocean water. I WILL say though that things are finally starting to get interesting again!

Current Music:

I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for Paramore for a while now…I used to totally rock the mic with Crushcrushcrush on Rockband…and I’m LOVING this new song!

Current Guilty Pleasure:

Shopping! I can’t stop! I rarely ever buy anything for myself (other than food) but I have been on a shopping spree/warpath for weeks now…and it didn’t really help that the man-friend took me to a Tanger Outlet while we were in Gulf Shores! Lol

Current Nail Color:

Before going on vacation, I tried a new Essie color called The Girls Are Out. I really like it fun sparkle to it. I’m currently back to Sunday Funday, but I think tomorrow I’ll be changing it to yet ANOTHER new color…

Seriously guys, I’ve got a problem!

Current Drink:

Hello, my name is Heather and I’m addicted to flavored coffees…especially when different flavors are mixed together…caramel drizzled pumpkin pie in a mug, anyone? 😉

Current Food:

Figs

And more FIGS!!!!

Two guesses as to what I picked up at the grocery store today after getting back in town!

Current Favorite Show:

Thanks to the man-friend and his sharing of Netflix passwords, 😉 I’ve been watching a lot more TV over the last few weeks. I think I just need to learn to pace myself more…I marathon-watched Orange is the New Black in a day and a half and then got into New Girl and was done with it in less than a week! Ugh, I’m dying for more episodes!

Current Wish List:

I just got back from a relaxing, fun, and deeeeelicious week on the BEACH, I think all my wishes have been granted for now! 😉

Current Needs:

To get caught up with all of YOU! I can’t wait to read through all the comments from the last week of scheduled posts…like I said, I’ve missed you!

Current Triumphs:

Guess what! Guess what! Guess WHAAAAAT!

Not ONCE did I feel bad about myself once I was on the beach. I hate that I worked myself up so much before I left. I mean, it’s not like I was going on vacation at the PLAYBOY MANSION or something! I was in a beautiful place, surrounded by “normal” people having fun in the sun…and I did the same! 😀

Current Bane of Existence:

The nightmares that have ensued since watching the VMA’s last Sunday.

Current Celebrity Crush:

Umm, I may or may not have had a pretty hot dream featuring Dermot Mulroney in my kitchen feeding me figs dipped in honey? What?! The REAL question is this: How can such a sexy man have such an UNSEXY name?!

Current Indulgence:

At the beginning of the month, I finally got a chance to check out the new Massage Envy that just opened up down the road. After an hour of relaxing turn-my-muscles to mush session, I decided to sign up for their VIP membership…one 1-hour massage a month for only $59 (plus a few other benefits!)…best decision ever made!

Current Blessing:

Friends, family, my health! I’m just feeling really grateful for everything right now!

Current Slang:

Heyyyyy! I said “deets” in the intro to this post! That’s slang! Ding, ding, ding! I win!! Now…where’s my prize?! 😉

Current Outfit:

PJ’s and fuzzy slippers, but I’d much rather go back to this…

Current Excitement:

Excited to have had a great time on vacation, excited to sleep in my own bed tonight, and excited to try all of my new goodies…

My Foodie Pen Pal package from Lexi over at Tea & Crumpets came while I was gone, but I ~~asked~~ made Tori (who was popping in to take care of Tiger while I was gone) open it up and tell me what everything was over the phone. I swear it’s like Lexi was reading my MIND! Everything is definitely something I would have picked up myself. In fact, I couldn’t help but giggle over the Coconut Almond Quinoa Crunch (purple bag) since I JUST bought myself a bag at TJ Maxx a couple of weeks ago!

Thank you SO much Lexi!!

And check out what I sent to Chelsea from Six Pack Sexy…oh yeah, that’s some of my Almond Joy Granola! 😉

Current Link:

The Lean Green Bean…If YOU want to come home to a box FULL of foodie surprises…and who knows, maybe they’ll come from ME…check out Lindsay’s blog for all the “deets” on the FPP program!

Current Mood:

Content 😀

What are a few of your “currents” from August?

Anyone else having nightmares involving gigantic teddy bears wearing plastic underwear?

Posted in Currently, Foodie Pen Pal | Tagged beach, coffee, figs, music, Netflix, tv, vacation | 22 Comments

Strange but Figgin’ GOOD!

Posted on August 30, 2013 by kissmybroccoli

Oh yes, the “Figalicious”-ness continues…

So this recipe may not be ALL that strange, BUT my degree of obsession with this flavor combo may be…I’ll let you be the judge! Just please, please, PLEASE give this a try. If you’re a fan of sweet and tangy and you like figs, it will NOT disappoint!

And well, if you don’t like it…I’m sorry, but you must be

FIGGIN’ CRAZY!

Fig, Walnut, & Bleu Cheese Omelet

By: Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Keywords: saute breakfast egg whites eggs figs summer

Ingredients (Serves 1)

3 egg whites (or two whole eggs)
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup diced sweet onion
3-4 fresh figs, chopped, halved
2 Tablespoons crumbled bleu cheese, halved
1 Tablespoon crushed toasted walnuts
drizzle of honey

Instructions

1. Heat oil in non-stick skillet over medium-high heat
2. Add onions and half of the chopped figs and saute until onions are tender (3-4 minutes).
3. Transfer mixture to a small bowl, wipe out skillet, and coat thoroughly with non-stick spray.
4. Whisk egg whites, parsley, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
5. Pour egg mixture into skillet, swirling it around to coat the sides of the pan.
6. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes or until egg is partially set.
7. Uncover and add sautéed onions and figs and bleu cheese one side of the omelet, then fold other side overtop.
8. Recover and cook for 2-3 minutes.
9. Transfer to a plate and top with the remaining chopped fig, cheese, and walnuts (To toast walnuts quickly: spread on a plate and microwave for 2 1/2 minutes or until fragrant).
10. Drizzle with honey and ENJOY!