4.25.2010

Flip Your Flops

In keeping with the tradition of embellishing old clothing/accessories to make something fresh and new for the 'ol wardrobe, I've dressed up these old flip flops from H&M. To do it yourself, all you need is an old pair of flops, needle and thread, some fabric to use for your embellishment, and a safety pin. First, cut 2 pieces of fabric for your embellishment, as well as straps (about 1 inch wide, and as long as you need for it to go around your ankle and tie in a knot). The embellishment pieces should be shaped like very long triangles; fold in half, wrong-side-out, and sew up the long edge; turn right-side-out. Press the embellishment pieces so that the seam runs up the middle. On the wide end of the triangle, fold the edge over (toward the seam side) to make about a 1 inch hole through which the ankle strap will go, sew across. Then sew up the middle of the embellishment piece with needle and thread with stitches about 1/4 inch apart- then pull to gather. Tie off the thread when the embellishment is gathered enough to make the piece the right length to sit on top of your foot- from the spot on the flip flop where you'll attach it, to your ankle. Then take the gathered embellishment piece and sew it onto the flip flop, seam side down. Using a safety pin, lace your ankle strap through the 1 inch hole you've made where the embellishment will meet your ankle. Voila- strap 'em on!

4.12.2010

Protesting All Seasoning Packets....

It's that time of year again- the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and fresh produce is making a comeback! What better way to celebrate than by whipping up a batch of glorious guacamole. There's just one thing- when picking up the necessary ingredients, do not, under any circumstances, buy one of those nasty guacamole seasoning packets. I know how it is out there in the grocery stores (sigh....)- they strategically place the seasoning packets right next to the avocados to get you second-guessing yourself, wondering, "I need one of these packets, right?" Wrong! Don't do it! Instead, dazzle your guacamole-sharing friends and family with a dose of all-natural seasonings- the ones that come from the ingredients below:
  • 2 Avocados (they should be a bit soft, just so you can press into them an leave a slight dent, but not mushy)
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 tsb salt
  • 1 small tomato (seeds and juice removed) diced
  • 1 wedge lime juice
  • 2 Tbs. chopped onion (red or yellow)
  • 1/4 jalapeno (with half of the seeds removed, or more removed if you like more mild guac) chopped
  • 3 Tbs. chopped cilantro

Mix the garlic, salt, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, lime juice, and tomato in a medium-size bowl. Then slice your avocados length-wise, and remove the pit (keep one if you will not be serving the guac right away- you shouldn't wait more than 6 hours or so to serve guac once it's made, but placing one of the reserved pits in the prepared guac will help keep it from turning brown). Then scrape out the flesh of the avocado into the other ingredients and mash with a fork and incorporate well with other ingredients. Trust me, this will taste way better than any batch made with one of the seasoning packets! Serve with tortilla chips and flour tortillas. Guac is also great on top of a burger!

4.09.2010

Dinner for One

Here's a throw back to my girl Ashley and our low-carb meals we used to make out in California (while we were hiding from the crazies). Ever need to throw together a meal for one? Want to keep it low carb, but yummy? Yea, me too....so here's the Un-burger, with mushrooms and swiss. It's not particularly fancy, but it is super tasty! Just chop up some onion, rinse off some button mushrooms, and throw it all into a skillet with a ground beef patty, season it all with salt and pepper, and drizzle a bit of Worcestershire sauce, cover on medium heat for about 4 minutes, flip once, wait 4 more minutes, right at the end, toss on a slice of swiss cheese, and call it a dinner! Eat with a fork instead of a bun, and use sauces like ketchup or sriracha sauce to jazz it up. Just one plate, and just one skillet make for super fast and easy cleanup! (of course, you could do this meal for more than one person, just more food and a bigger skillet- same everything else!)