Before Hans and I got married, we were very up to date with technology- especially Hans. He is a pure technology nerd; he always had the high tech laptop and cell phone… a step ahead of every one else in the game of technology. But then… we got [...]]]> To smart phone, or not to smart phone?

Before Hans and I got married, we were very up to date with technology- especially Hans. He is a pure technology nerd; he always had the high tech laptop and cell phone… a step ahead of every one else in the game of technology. But then… we got married, moved to the U.S. and became poor students for awhile so there was no extra cash for cool things. We both made do with what we had and that’s okay. Now, Hans has a full time job and I work part time along with my studies…. so, we have the chance to upgrade. But, should we?? I know once I upgrade to a smart phone then it will become impossible to go back to a “normal” phone. We haven’t really decided what we are going to do yet. Any suggestions if you have a smart phone? Is it really worth it?

I admit that I haven’t taken hardly any food photos in the last 2 weeks. I wanted to [...]]]> I have been back at school for 2 weeks now! Wow, how the time flies. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was anxiously awaiting for my first class, after a 3 year hiatus, to start.

I admit that I haven’t taken hardly any food photos in the last 2 weeks. I wanted to live the life of a non-blogger for awhile. I haven’t planned my meals out like I did when I was working full time either. I have noticed that when I am not entirely content with the way my every day life is going, I have the need to focus on something else entirely to keep my spirits up; food and healthy eating took that focus. The thing is… I can’t possibly plan my meals for school. And I don’t really want to go back to that either. I am walking around campus, up and down stairs, to and from the library in 95 degrees, there is no way that a lunch bag would hold up in those conditions. I also don’t want to add any more weight to my already heavy backpack. So, I’ve been taking advantage of the food options that they have on campus. I had no idea that UNCC offered so many healthy options. They have Einstein bagels, au bon pain, cafe style salads and sandwiches; and in all honestly, they are dang good!

It’s funny though… the second I stop thinking about food and body image, is when I lose 3-4 pounds? Yes, I’ve lost 3-4 lbs in 2 weeks. I haven’t been trying though. At all. I guess it just goes to show you that when you are happy, you just don’t really care about nonsense like obsessively packing every meal and snack for the day. It’s for the better. I want to live my life by the moment instead of planning, planning, planning.

Anyway, I just thought that I would share some of my thoughts with you all. I promise that I will take some more photos this weekend and in the following weeks Miss you guys! xoxo

Sadly I haven’t been in the mood for Fall foods with the temperatures reaching 95 degrees every day. Nonetheless, the Pumpkin Spice Latte marks the beginning of the Fall season for me. I graciously await the cool evenings, chic black boots, my dad’s chili and the abundance of [...]]]> Have you had your Pumpkin Spice Latte yet?

Sadly I haven’t been in the mood for Fall foods with the temperatures reaching 95 degrees every day. Nonetheless, the Pumpkin Spice Latte marks the beginning of the Fall season for me. I graciously await the cool evenings, chic black boots, my dad’s chili and the abundance of orange colored food that Fall brings. I have made it no secret around here that I am not really a fan of the hot summers in Charlotte. Give me 60 degrees please! As much happiness as Fall brings me it also makes me miss home. It’s always been my favorite season; with the start of school, high school football games and bonfires in Oklahoma, what’s not to love? As much as it pains me to say it, it is time to leave the Fall traditions of the past behind.

Here’s to making new Fall traditions in NC!

I love being a student again. I bought all new folders, dividers and ballpoint pens. One of my favorite things to do at the [...]]]> I put on a little disappearing act, didn’t I? I honestly didn’t mean to neglect my blog. I just wanted to focus on living life and enjoying my first week of school.

I love being a student again. I bought all new folders, dividers and ballpoint pens. One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of class is to open up my notebook to a fresh sheet of paper. Needless to say, I am quite the nerd! I don’t mind though. I love to learn. I am trying to take in all of the knowledge that my professors spout out at a rapid pace. It’s been fabulous. Everything that I have been hoping for and more. I seriously go to bed with a smile on my face. I know that this is the right path for me. While I was working at a full time office job, I was not happy. I woke up, went to work, stared at my computer, and then went home, the end. I was living my life in “automatic mode.” Now, I wake up anxious to find what the day holds. I have the passion to live again. I am genuinely happy instead of just telling myself that I am like I have been for the past 6 months.

I am so excited but nervous at the same time. For those of you who aren’t familiar with my story, I attended the University of Oklahoma in 2006-2007, studied in Sweden in 2007-2008 but, I haven’t gotten the chance to be a full time student again until now. I [...]]]> Today is my first day of class!!

I am so excited but nervous at the same time. For those of you who aren’t familiar with my story, I attended the University of Oklahoma in 2006-2007, studied in Sweden in 2007-2008 but, I haven’t gotten the chance to be a full time student again until now. I am grateful for my school hiatus though. Partly because I didn’t know what I wanted to do and partly because now I feel that I have grown as a person. I am ready to be a serious student and have thought immensely about my future career. Also, when I was at OU, I was in such a hurry to finish! Why? There is no need to be in a hurry. I have worked a full time job in an office for 6 months and trust me, school is much more fun than the “real world.” I have complained numerous times about not being able to go to school but really, I am very thankful that I had time to myself to think about what I really want.

Now, time for class! Wish me luck xoxo

After a few glorious dishes that were full of sun-dried tomatoes, I went browsing through a few recipes on Food Network for more inspiration. That’s when I stumbled upon this recipe by Giada De Laurentiis for [...]]]> Did you miss take 1 or take 2? No need to worry, you can check them out here and here.

After a few glorious dishes that were full of sun-dried tomatoes, I went browsing through a few recipes on Food Network for more inspiration. That’s when I stumbled upon this recipe by Giada De Laurentiis for sun-dried tomato meatloaf.

I knew I had a tiny problem once I read through the recipe though. I had never made meatloaf before. Sure, it was one of my grandma’s specialties. I remember it well from when I was a child but I’ve never eaten it in my adult years or even thought about attempting a recipe until now.

Sun-Dried Tomato Meatloaf
Adapted from Food Network.

-1/2 cup Italian flavored breadcrumbs
-1/2 cup fresh basil
-1/4 cup chopped herb marinated sun-dried tomatoes
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-2 eggs, lightly whisked
-1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
-S+P, to taste
-1 lb ground lean turkey

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Spray a 9×5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, basil, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, eggs, milk, S+P. Add the turkey into the mixture and gently combine.

Carefully pack the meat mixture into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 45 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees fahrenheit.

Hans and I were way too hungry for food photography…. which means a not too aesthetically pleasing picture of meatloaf But, trust me… it was delicious! A little too dry but given the fact it was my first attempt, I’ll let it slide.

I served the sun-dried tomato meatloaf with crusty garlic bread and a caprese salad.

I am sad to say that the jar of sun-dried tomatoes is almost gone

Yes, we ate in front of the tv last night while watching Master Chef

Any ideas? It involves France.

It involves France and heavin in a jar.

I ate one every single day in the streets of Paris when I was there.

If you guessed, crepes [...]]]> Can you guess what Hans and I had for dinner last night?

Yes, we ate in front of the tv last night while watching Master Chef

Any ideas? It involves France.

It involves France and heavin in a jar.

I ate one every single day in the streets of Paris when I was there.

If you guessed, crepes then you are correct

Crepes are much thinner than American pancakes and they are very “eggy” with a spongy texture. I am not really a fan of pancakes or waffles for that matter but I love a good crepe. We used a Swedish recipe from what I can remember the recipe was something like this….
-4 eggs
-6 dl milk
-2 tbsp sugar
-1/2 tsp salt
-4 dl flour

Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and then cook on the stovetop like a normal pancake. Crepes, however, do have a shorter cooking time than normal pancakes. I am horrible at making crepes (I have no skills when it comes to cooking on the stovetop) so Hans was in charge last night! He made perfect crepes. Is it just me or is a man in the kitchen very sexy?

Anyway, I had two delicious French crepes for dinner last night. One crepe with ham, goat cheese and honey mustard but that doesn’t compare to this.

French crepe with nutella and banana. This could possibly be my favorite thing that has ever passed my lips. Why don’t we make crepes more often?

P.S. I went up to my school today and picked up my parking permit and my books!! Yay! It’s really happening. I am so excited!!

When I randomly threw a jar of sun-dried tomatoes into my shopping cart last weekend, I had one recipe in mind.

Wouldn’t it taste delicious baked into a Swedish paj?

It did. Oh, it did!! I make several variations of Swedish paj but this one is definitely up there with the [...]]]> Missed take 1? Check it out here.

When I randomly threw a jar of sun-dried tomatoes into my shopping cart last weekend, I had one recipe in mind.

Wouldn’t it taste delicious baked into a Swedish paj?

It did. Oh, it did!! I make several variations of Swedish paj but this one is definitely up there with the best of them.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Prosciutto Paj

(Please ignore the horrible photos! We didn’t get a chance to eat until close to 9 0′clock so I had to use the flash)

For the crust:

• 1/2 stick butter
• 3/4 cup flour (I used half AP and half whole wheat)
• 1 tbsp cold water
• pinch of salt

For the filling:

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 slices of prosciutto
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives
• 1 cup arugula
• minced garlic
• Sprinkle of asiago cheese
• S+P, to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Assemble the paj crust into a buttered pan. Whisk the eggs in a medium sized bowl, then add the cream, prosciutto, sun dried tomatoes, olives, arugula, garlic and S+P. Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes. Sprinkle with asiago and broil for 1 minute.