it's all new

So much has happened since I last wrote. The hubby and I moved back to Houston June 2012. I started working at the Community Design Resource Center, at the University of Houston, College of Architecture, as the project director. The hubby and I recently found out we are expecting! Food adventures are continuing, cooking is in full swing, and now with a baby on the way there is no better time to explore all the diy projects that have been sitting on the back burner! I decided to dedicate more time to my blog as a way to capture our journey and our adventures in Houston! 

Since this is our first child, we are extremely overjoyed and wanted to announce the news to our friends and family in a special way. We told our parents right away by presenting them all with presents, which had a framed picture of our first sonogram! It was one of the most emotional and happiest times of my life! We waited until I finished my first trimester to tell our friends! We wanted it to be memorable and as personal as possible. My sister so kindly photographed the hubby and I, and we printed our images to mimic a Polaroid, wrapped them in tissue, and gave them to all our friends at once- that moment is indescribable. We witnessed so much love from all our family and friends, and cannot wait for this chapter of our life- as this is just the beginning :)

tropical dinner

Today was one of those days where you wear a sun dress, braid your hair, and sit outside to enjoy a perfect tropical meal, complete with a fruity ice drink. I did exactly that. 

Tropical Chicken Fried Rice
1 boneless chicken breast (cut to your liking)
1/2 onion
1/4 cup sugar snap peas
1/2 cup broccoli chopped
1/4 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup pineapple chunks (fresh)
1/4 cup red bell pepper chopped
1/4 cup water chestnuts  
red pepper flakes (to taste)
red chili powder (to taste)
soy sauce (to taste)
sea salt (to taste) 
fish sauce (to taste)
sriracha hot sauce (to taste)
2 cups white or brown rice (feeds 6)


Cook rice. Separately saute onions, once golden brown add chicken pieces. Add the rest of the vegetables and all dry ingredients. Cook for 5-6 minutes and add the soy sauce and fish sauce. Add the pineapples chunks at the end and cook for another 2 minutes. Mix all ingredients in rice, and add sriracha hot sauce for wonderful color and a kick of flavor. Serve in 1/2 cut pineapple bowls for an instant chef status, perfect for a romantic dinner, or to entertain your guest!


PANGOU Shake (my husband likes to name all our drink concoctions) 


1/4 cup pineapple chunks
1 white guava 
1 mango 
1/2 cup of fresh squeezed orange juice 
1 1/2 teaspoon honey (or to taste) 
 ice

Mix all ingredients in a blender on the frappe option. Garnish and enjoy




 

Sunday Meals

Today was one of those days where I just felt like cooking ALL day.

Breakfast consisted of mushroom madness as I like to call it. I used my mothers recipe which consists of chopped onions, red bell-pepper, pan tossed with lemon juice and olive oil, topped with cilantro. For lunch we put together a spring salad; a combination of greens, olives, sun dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and slivered almonds. Dinner was memorable, my good friend came over with some pita, while I took care of the rest, tofu and beef kabobs, baba ghanoush, roasted potatoes, hummus and tzatziki.

Happy Cooking to all!

currently reading,

cut outs and The Wiener Man

As mentioned before I am a sucker for anything laser-cut, and cut-outs in general. Here are a few pieces I recently pinned on Pinterest, and cant stop staring at!

On a different note, while the hubby and I were are Avoca today, we finally tried The Wiener Man.We got the Skinny-which is the vegetarian option, Grilled portobello topped with sauteed spinach, fresh pico, avocado & Sriracha mayo. Served on an Empire split-top roll. I have to say it was pretty delicious, but rather small for $4.25! Nonetheless we had to try it! I apologize for not snapping a picture, but we both were clearly very hungry.

They have many other options to pick from, and Free Sandwich Tasting until December 17th. Go and try it, if you haven't already done so!

green&red red&green

The holidays are here! It's scarce that you will see one's door-front heavily decorated for the holidays, specifically in apartments, but my neighbor is an exception. Every holiday/season his door front displays something festive, and I absolutely adore it. I took Nimbus out to snap a few pictures, and he became extremely fascinated by the colorful reds and greens! p.s the tree even lights up at night!

if texas had fall it would look a little like this

Texas is known for its unpredictable weather, and audacious ways of skipping right through fall! Growing up in Southern California, I was spoiled by not only experiencing all 4 seasons, but also living within less than an hours drive to most of the southern beaches, minutes from the snow at Big Bear and minutes from the dry desert atmosphere at Palm Springs, and Apply Valley. Today in Fort Worth it felt and looked like Fall! Peaking close to 35 degrees, with 10-15 mph winds, this produced a beautiful day outdoors, with colored leaves concealing the pavements, light flurrie like rain, people in layered clothing and of course a busy day at the coffee shops and cafes. I was actually fasting today for the Day of Ashura, which is the 10th Day of Muharram in the Islamic Calender, it marks the climax of the remembrance of Muharram. Muslims fast on this day, to express gratitude to God for liberating the Israelites from Egypt, just as Moses did. Mohammad PBUH also fasted on this day and asked others to fast as well. So during lunch time instead of eating I spent my afternoon walking around Swiss Avenue, which is an elegant residential street and historic district in East Dallas, Texas, just minutes from Downtown Dallas. The beautiful neighborhood is lined with plenty of trees, and approximately 200 preserved and restored historic homes, representing several architectural styles (Mediterranean, Spanish Georgian, Prairie, Craftsman, Neoclassical, Italian Renaissance, and Colonial Revival). The district is a must see, if you get a chance to visit Swiss Ave, make sure to take a stroll at the Central Square Park. I snapped a few shots at Square Park this afternoon, I just couldn't resist capturing how beautiful it looked today and always. Later I came home and brewed myself a cup of spiced chai tea, my perfect fall day would not have been complete without my chai, enjoy!