4/29/15

Pimento Ponderings

I'm not from the South. We know this. Far from it!

{Literally.}

BUT! I can pretend sometimes. Ohhhh goodness gracious, does my heart truly appreciate all of the charm and whimsy of that neck 'o the woods. As much as I embrace my beloved East Coast roots, I swear I lived deep in the heart of somewhere HOT many lives ago. I am going to stereotype heavily today, and I don't give a darn, because it is with all due respect...and blessed hearts...and magnolia flowers...and Sweet Home sunshine.



Twint Juleps.



Sir! Ma'am! Pearls. Red velvet. Mason jars. Wrap-around porches. Heat. Rocking chairs. Banjos. Faith. Sweet tea. Lemonade. Vintage pick-up trucks. Ambrosia. Boots. BBQ. Spanish moss. Wicker. Fireflies. Parasols. Mint Juleps. Fried Chicken.

MONOGRAMS. {They deserve their own paragraph so we can marvel at the very vision of this beautiful word.}

And, the accents. I'd trade in my nasally high-pitched bark for a laid back tiny twang any day! Ya'll agree? Anyhoo, this weekend the Kentucky Derby will rock 'n roll, and I've always loved the first weekend of May because it's a time to embrace this esteemed event...and the ICONIC {Southern} foods and bevvies that come with it! To be more specific - Pimento Cheese and all its glory.

After tracing its roots, I discovered it was invented in NEW YORK!!!!!!!!!! Well, how about that? I'm practically Southern! {Read more about it. Click here.}  With that said, here are a few ways to fuse a little Derby and Southern Livin' together for a what I reckon will be a wonderful weekend.





{Pimento Cheese Spread}

8oz. cream cheese
2c shredded extra sharp cheddar
1/2 c mayo
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 t onion powder
1/2 t cayenne (optional)
4 oz. diced pimento
1 splash of milk

Mix all together in a mixer on medium.
Serve with your favorite dippers!






{Pimento Cheese Sammies}

Bread
Pimento Dip

Spread some dip on bread and grill!




{Pimento Cheese Poppers}

Crescent rolls
Pimento Dip
Jalepenos
Bacon
Pretzel stick
Plastic wrap


Add some jalepeno to your pimento dip.
Use a cookie scoop and drop onto plastic wrap.
Use the plastic to form the ball.
Place in freezer for 5 minutes.
Take out and roll in bacon.
Pop a pretzel stick into the center for fun.






{Pimento Cheese Pinwheels}

Crescent rolls
Pimento Dip


Roll out 2 crescent roll triangles.
Spread a thin layer of pimento dip all over the top.
Roll it up into a log and place in freezer for 5 minutes.
Take it out and slice into discs.
Cook discs, "swirl side" down, for 10 minutes on 350.




Try these out now, ya hear? Thank ya kindly!














The Liebster Award!

Hey there CoCo-Nuts!
Your homegirl has been nominated for a Liebster Award!



The Liebster Award recognizes new blogs and welcomes them into the Blogging World. {It's a big 'ol virtual hug from blogger to blogger!} It's a really nice way for fellow bloggers to cross-promote and highlight other newbie blogs whose content could be of note. {#Rhymes!} It's a sweet compliment from one tale teller to another.


I'd like to send a big puffy heart thank you to Jessi at The Greenish Mommy for the nom a little bit ago. Check out her blog for a healthy dose of all things fun, family, fresh and fab. She's a super cool chica with a really down to Earth writing style. Be sure to show her Facie page some love, too! {Click here} I just know once you start reading her posts, you'll want to check back on the daily!


{The Deets}

Once a blogger is nominated, he/she has to answer a series of questions from the nominator and also share 11 things about themselves. In turn, he/she will nominate other new blogs for the recognition. Sounds like one big happy Blogoshpere chain letter, right? {Yep!}


{My Liebster Award Nominees}

I'm giving a HUGE thumb's up to these rays of sunshine.
Check them out and show 'em some smooches.




{Click below for some blogging beauty!}





{Q's from The Greenish Mommy}


Why did you start blogging?

I love to talk and I love to listen! I thought this would be an ideal outlet to dish about anything from Lipstick to Las Vegas {and everything in between!}...with peeps who dig a little bit of random in their day. I love the thrill of trading and sharing ideas with a kaleidoscope of people. We're all on this colorful ride through life together, so I figured, why not spark some cool vibes with a little tribe?!

What is your favorite food?

I come from a looooong line of foodies, so it's hard to pin-point just one item...{and my heart will break if I ever hurt any food's feelings}...but truly, madly, deeply...Pizza wins my soul. Specifically, from Lombardi's in Little Italy with a sprinkle of parm and an ice cold Cherry...Coke. {#RascalFlattsAnyone?}

Second place: Red Velvet cake. 


{Honorable Mentions}

  • - Anything from In-N-Out. Anything.
  • - A local restaurant's chicken tenders + honey mustard.
  • - A local bakery's Boston cream.
  • - PF Chang's Lo-Mein + Crab Rangoon.
  • - Padrone's Breadsticks w/ Ranch.
  • - KC Masterpiece BBQ Ruffles. {RIP}
  • - Steak Gorgonzola.
  • - Carnegie Deli's pastrami sammich.
  • - Lobster Bisque from The Signature Room at the 95th.
  • - Maggiano's Chopped Salad + Rigatoni D.
  • - Disney World's rice krispie treats.
  • - One Whiz With.
  • - Shrimp Scampi from the Watermark. Naples.
  • - Ahi Tuna appie from Outback. I'm serious.

What was your first job?
A cashier at Wegmans Supermarket. Started ON my 15th birthday! My parents are quite the pair of comedians.


What are you having for dinner tonight?   
Frittata + toast. {The burnt, the better!}


Pick one word to describe your blog. 
Welp...Hot Mess is two words...so...Quirky, she be!

If you could go to any place in the world on a free vacation for a week, where would you go? Perugia, Italy, to see where my Grandma was born. I'd want to take her with me so I can see pure, genuine, delight...shine across her gorgeous face.

Who was your favorite teacher? Absolutely cannot answer. But! I can hint! Here are some who have squeezed my heart..

-One with THE most beautiful penmanship taught me that it's ok to cry at Bridge to Teribithia, it's alright to be googly-eyed for grammar, and that I should join the cheerleading squad. She is the epitome of class.

-One had me at Hola!...literally. This Spanish teacher was one of those kind hearts who really rooted for you. 

-One made me appreciate math for 1 season, only because he was one of the Coolest cats around. I sadly took nothing away from the class {my brain isn't wired for the 'matics}, but if I had gone into teaching, I would have 100% copied his signature style. 

-One made me appreciate the trifecta that is Shakespeare, writing and theater.

-One was a nun who wore the whole traditional habit and all. She's an angel among us. Don't believe me? Stay tuned for a story about my First Communion dress some day. In short, I dropped a whole dish of baked ziti sauce down the front of it at my party. Sister prayed over it, I set it on a chair in my room, woke up the next morning, and it was sparkling WHITE. {You read that right!}

-One college professor...a legend! a guru!...was the sole reason I chose a career path in public relations/communications. Pharmacy was totally the wrong "P" major. {#Whoops #FreshmanYear} 

Where do you see yourself in five years? 
As a proud Ma cheering on Ten-Year-Old Twinados in whatever makes their hearts happy! {Or, finding the solution to world peace. Either will be fine.}

Who would you say has been the most influential person in your life? My chicklets/ My homegirls/ My darling daughters. They make me want to be a better person. When I look at them, I see 2 dreams wrapped up in sparkly crowns, puppy stickers, messy buns, plastic high heels, sugar cookie smiles and preschool craft-painted dresses. I see Heaven in their eyes, and without a doubt, those little meatballs have shown me a glimpse of God.

If you had to be any animal for the rest of your life, what would you pick? 
Totally going magical. That last answer was heavy. A mermaid, yo! {Or, a unicorn, if that's taken.}

What is your favorite color?
Pink. {All day, e'ryday.} I know that answer will make some people quickly roll their baby blues, but for 3 decades, I haven't cared one single bubblegum, carnation, bashful,  hot, Pepto Bismol, blush, flamingo, magenta bit. {#OwnIt}

{11 FACTS}

1. I have double jointed thumbs, {#Awkward}


2. Dimples are a family thang. My mom, grandmother and great grandmother all have 'em! Theirs have been on alternating sides of the face throughout each generation, but I stole two. {Thief!} I passed one down to my oldest bambina. {#Cheeks}


3. I was on Oprah for approx. 4 seconds with my college cheerleading squad during the Angel Network kick off episode. {#NoClip #PreYouTube #ImOld}

4. My initials used to be DMV...although I received no perks and still sat for hours at that darn place! {#SayCheese}

5. A clown pushed me into a pool when I was 6. I've been running from them and their shiny machetes ever since. {#BrokenRecord}



6. I once took 30 senior citizens on a 7-day trip through Prague + Germany. {#BavarianBuddies}

7. I pinned my sorority badge to the inside of my wedding dress on the big day. {#Zeta}

8. I've tap danced on Broadway. {#DanceComps}

9. I once owned every Garbage Pail Kid card in the first series. Big M + CoCo forgot them at our old house when we moved. Adam Bomb is going for $1,495 on eBay right now. Nice, eh? {#StillTicked #Still}

10. Otis Day is my pseudo uncle. For real! {#Shout #AnimalHouse}

11. I am thoroughly, wholeheartedly, absolutely OBSESSED with Halloween. {#OBSESSED #SavedTheBestForLast}



Hope you liked the Liebster fun today! Remember to check out The Green Mommy and the other nifty new blogs I recommended. Enjoy your day!
















4/26/15

{Foodee} Shrimp Taco Extr-avacado-ganza

So. Who's on #TeamAvocado?




I thought about posting a long-winded summary of my undying LOVE for this oh-so-gorgeous green goddess, but I want to cut right to the chase tonight so you can get back to your Sunday night shows!

AVOCADO FRIES - what the? How the? Huh?!

I stumbled upon a few recipes for this little darlin', and figured it was time to jump on the bandwagon. And, jumped, I did. Right into a side ramekin of {healthy} Cool Ranch Dip. This little number below paired well with some Sriracha Shrimp tacos - a fab first time appearance in our casa. Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, so in the words of darling Dora, I hope you'll rate this one ...muy delicioso!







{Avocado Fries + Cool Ranch Dip}

Avocados
Egg whites
Panko bread crumbs {or Almond Flour}
Chili powder

Cut your 'Cado in half, pop out the pit and slice away! Take each avocado strip and dip it into the egg whites. Then toss dip them into Panko {or sub in some Almond Flour for a lighter version}. Lay each strip on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with coconut oil. Add a very small dash of chili powder over everything and bake at 400 for 5 minutes. Flip. Then, cook for another 5 minutes. See if they're crispy...and cook a bit longer if needed.

{Cool Ranch Dip}

Mix some plain Greek yogurt with a little bit of lemon juice, minced onion, dried chives, garlic powder, onion powder, a dash of garlic salt and some parsley {use fresh, if you're fancy like that!}.


{Sriracha Shrimp Tacos + Boom Boom Sauce}

Shrimp
1.5t olive oil
3 cloves minced garlic
1/2t cumin
1T Sriracha sauce
2T fresh lime juice
1 swirl of honey
1t onion powder
Peppers
Soft tortilla shells

{Shrimp/Sauce/Pepps}
Fry up some pepper strips in some olive oil while you work on your shrimp. Mix the 2nd-7th ingredients above together to your liking in a bowl. Toss in your shrimp. Add the shrimp mixture to a coconut-sprayed skillet and let it sizzle for about 2-3 minutes. Flip frequently.

{Tortillas}

Rub some fresh lime juice on one side of each shell. Spray a tiny bit of coconut oil spray across a few grates in your oven. Heat it to 400 and lay the tortillas across 2 of the grates. This is going to give you a nice flat base for better filling and plate presentation. Keep an eye on the oven - I'd say 2 minutes should do the trick! Use a pair of tongs to take them off of the grates.

{Boom Boom Sauce}

When your shell is filled up with shrimpy-peppery goodness, it's time to zhoosh it up a bit. Right?! Combine 1/4c mayo, 1T ketchup, 1T sweet chili sauce, 1t garlic powder and 2 squirts of Sriracha in a bowl. Whisk it all together and add a few swirls of it on top of your shrimp/pepp mixture. {Healthier choice: sub out our beloved Hellman's with organic mayo and drizzle just a touch of this sauce to the top of your meal.}

I was inspired by Beachbody's Shrimp Taco recipe. I switched mine up a bit, but def check theirs out for some fun! {Click here}

Happy Sunday, ya crazy kids, you!











4/22/15

Earth Day E'ryday

It's Earth Day.
Love your Mother.

I had contemplated just posting those two sentences today by themselves, because those phrases sum up today's big celebration quite perfectly, right? It's as simple as that!




We should be celebrating 'ol Ma everyday. Every. Single. Day. Our family is big on recycling {and upcycling!}, but I KNOW we could do so much more to protect this Lovely Land. With that said, in honor of April 22, here are...



22 ideas for a 

Wickedly Wonderful Worldly Wednesday


{Act} Say thanks to Mom.


22. Plant a Tree - Arbor Day is just around the corner {April 27}, so you'll totally be early for the party. Find one that's perfect for your climate. {Oh...and hug it when it's tall enough!}


Click on the pic for some eye candy I found on www.boredpanda.com!


21. BYOWB - Bring your own water bottle! Instead of bottled water, how about rockin' a cute new charmer at the gym, play date or bike ride this week?


...Like this cutie I found at Walmart last week for $4.98!


20. Work off waste. Find a trash bin, tape a "Recycle" sign to it and work it, honey. Same thing goes if your state, city, village {whatever!}, doesn't have recycling opportunities. Make your own receptacle and see what you can do.

Click this pic for a free print from www.myfreeprintables.com


19. Use e-tickets  and go paperless when it's time to get the heck outta Dodge or even when you're ready to hop on a stop on N.K.O.T.B's revival tour! {Buffalo. July. Hurry up.}


Go 'head, fellow BlockHeads.
You know you want to click on Donnie to find out when they'll be in your hood.


18. Explore your inner Maxxinista, and head over to TJ's to buy a handful of those adorable reusable shopping bags in the checkout line. {You know which ones, darlin.} Eiffel towers, hydrangeas, plaid, dogs. Pick your print!


My Four Faves!


17. Plant your own veggie garden. Then, you won't have to brave the teeny tiny aisles with your bold and big cart in the produce section anymore. You can whip up Veggetti from your own perfect patch. {Have you made this? I couldn't even handle its beauty when I made it last week!}




16. Compost. I hear it's cool! Check out what The Green Queen of Moderation has to say about it. Oh, and start following her, too. You'll be glad you did. {She's one of CoCo's very first and very dear friends.}



Click here to read the adorably titled article...As The Worm Turns!


15. Check your house for leaky faucets.


Big M. + CoCo have this little MotionSense minx from Moen.
Click the pic to read about her. {#UberJeallie}


14. Go through a car wash. It uses significantly less water than if you did it in your driveway. Plus, you know you want to watch the windshield designs the soap makes during the wait before the final rinse. {You know you do.}


They said they didn't have enough quarters. They'll do better next time.


13. Look at your light bulbs and make some adjustments.


Click the pic for a Light Bulb Buying Guide from www.cnet.com.



12. Pay your bills online. {Or, well...just ask someone to pay them. Destiny's Child did.}


Click the pic for a series of several bill-related questions.

11. Don't trash your glass. Upcycle it!


Stay tuned for a Dee-I-Y! I had a 'Ball' with this project. 


10. Turn the water off when brushing your chompers. {Make sure your dentist does, too!}




9. Be a book worm. Study up on your environment, pick an issue that strikes your fancy, then blab about it to your friends. Oh, and then go save the heck out of it.

Click here for other good reads found on Amazon.



8. Buy local. 'Nuf said.


Click this pic to view its entirety and see what
www.huffingtonpost.com has to say about LOVING local.


7. Stock up on some greenie cleaning products. Look for these beautiful brands: BabyGanics, Mrs. Meyer's, The Honest Company, Method, Dapple, Green Works {Clorox}, Seventh Generation, etc. We're huge fans of BabyGanis all-purpose cleaner. {She cleans a mean stove top, lemme tell ya!}


This is our TOP fave.
Click on the pic to buy some from TRU and read the glowing reviews.


6. Donate your old clothing...and stop by Clothes Mentor for more!

Click on the photo...so you'll know where to goto! 


5. Find a cause. Fork over some moolah. Give yourself a pat on da back.

Click on this precious Polar Bear graphic,
and let the NRDC give you some deets.


4. Say hasta la vista to your old laptop by donating it to the Salvation Army or the Rescue Mission.

Click on the pic to Do Good. 


3. Use rechargeable batteries. And, don't even THINK about tossing the other kind when they're empty. Our local grocery store has a bin at the front entrance for this type of recycling. Check out yours!

Click on this pic for some OCRRA guidance.


2. Your old cell phone may be ancient, but someone's just waiting to love her! Check out cellphonesforsoldiers.com, 911cellphonebank.org...or just trade it in!


Click this logo. Recycle your cell. Verizon will do the rest.


1. Follow my own motto!








{Kiddos} Start 'em young!

Give - This one might be a toughie, but ask them to pick out a few toys they'd like to pass down to other kids that might be in need. It could teach them about recycling AND giving at the same time. {#YouForTheWin}


...Unless it's a family heirloom or worth a grand on eBay.
Then, all bets on giving are OFF says the broad in the back.


Read - Choose an Earth-friendly title and snuggle up together on the couch. {We vote: The Lorax}





Tin Time- Turn some tin cans {and their tops} into drums instead of throwing them out. Let them decorate them with paints, stickers and sparkles til their heart's content.


Or, click on this pic to see how to add some sass to your Summer!


Eggcitement - Transform those old egg cartons into something fun! Bead holder? Sticker bin? Play kitchen sillyness? All of the above.


I'm diggin' this egg carton flower wreath from www.parents.com!
Click the pic to view 9 more ideas.


Hunt - Create a Scavenger Hunt for your lil Nature Nuggets! Be outdoorsy and make them find things like pine cones, a tree branch, a funny-shaped rock, a feather, a dandelion, a clover, a leaf, an acorn, etc. Reward them with some extra time on their bikes, more play time outside or something else fab. {Bribe on, honey. DeeDee doesn't judge.}

Click this pic to see how the folks at HowtoNestforLess.com rock this adventure!


Sing - Belt out some Earthy melodies together and fill the air with an off-key solution, instead of pollution. {Ok, yes. That was a corny rhyme.}


Click on Jack Johnson's pic to listen to his collab with www.explore.com.


Preach - Give those youngins a crash course in recycling. Let them help out by tossing out the trash into separate bins. {Throw in a little more allowance money each month.}

Have you met the NSA's new recycling mascot, Dunk?
I'm just going to leave this little chuckle right here for you to click on.



{Nosh} Mama E. would want you to!


Whip up some tasty Earth Day treats and savor the flava. Greens, blues, browns, {candy} bugs - get festive! And, get snackin! Have you made/seen anything fun out there? Leave a comment below and show your fellow CoCo-Nuts!



The Twinados had a sugar buzz somethin FIERCE at yesterday's pre-party.
#SweetsForTheSweets


Cloudy Coolers
-Layer blue jello and whipped cream so it looks like the sky.


Big Peeps! {Try this with a lil Blue Curaco sometime!}



Pretty Planters
-Tuck a chocolate cupcake into a cleaned terracotta pot and add leaves made out of green tootsie rolls or Airheads. Add some crushed Oreos for extra dirt!




A lil' Spring Sprout!


Muddy Mason Jars
-Mason jar, chocolate pudding, crushed oreos, gummy worms.


I promise I didn't make them eat this off the ground. 



Global Goodies
-Take sugar cookie mix, separate half of the dough and add some blue food coloring, take the rest of the dough and add green food coloring, take a spoonful of each color and roll it into a ball. Bake as directed.


I wonder if Sarah Palin can still see Russia from her house.



{Socialize} On the web, babes.

Click here to visit my Saving Planets Pinterest page for a collection of all things Earthy. If you have a board like this, let me know, because I'd love to link up!


{Dream Big} It's contest time!

I hope some of these babblings have inspired you to give our big ball 'o greenie-blue a nice little squeeze today...and tomorrow...and the day after that. Whatever plans you have to make our Home-Sweet-Home a better place, I hope you DREAM BIG! And...what better company to partner with for an Earth Day giveaway, than Dream BIG Printables?! Have you SEEN this Etsy shop? It practically pops off the screen with its enchanting art. The fonts! The quotes! The patterns! So fresh. So fly. Check out these PRICES! #PositivelyPerfect

I can go on and on...but sometimes some shop samplings are worth a thousand words...












Want to see more? Here's a link to the Dream BIG Etsy shop {Click here}...and stop by their official page on the 'Book {Click here}. Don't forget to bookmark their website, too! {Click here}

Dream BIG's super chill owner, {K} would like to offer 1 FREE print to 3 lucky CoCo-Nuts! To be eligible, head on over to the CD Facie page and leave an Earth-related comment under the link to this post or beneath the photo that promos this contest. {Either or!} You can say anything! Tell us something you do to conserve or preserve, post a quote that'll make us think, leave environmental tips and tricks, etc. {Whatever floats your boat.} Classtools.net will randomly choose a winner after 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. Be creative! You never know who you'll inspire.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

And...remember what I said about glittering and not littering, Sweetface!