Favorite Things: Pretty in Pink

I've mentioned before that when we moved in our house this past November the grounds were pretty much barren. We had no clue what to expect foliage wise come spring. Well much to my surprise we were graced with not 1 but 2 of my favorite flower bushes. I've been eyeing up my peonies the past couple days waiting for those pink fragrant blooms to bust open so I could snip off a few and bring them indoors. Today was my lucky day!

Scrambled

I had originally planned on posting today about our fun weekend and the end of summer but due to some technical difficulties with my camera I'm going a different route. Today is going to be another food post. Remember when I posted about our little garden here? Well, we are still enjoying all the goodies that are surprisingly continuing to grow. The diet plan I am following calls for a lot of protein and generous amounts of veggies so I figured I'd share one of the dishes that I've been eating a lot of lately. Scrambled egg whites with garden veggies. For this I just crack a few eggs and separate the whites from the yolk.

I chop up as many veggies as I can find. This time I used tomato and green pepper from my garden, onion and spinach. I sprayed the pan with some olive oil and saute them for a bit.

Once the vegetables are soft I add the egg, scramble away, and done. I paired it with some sliced avocado, and topped it with some cracked black pepper. 

Easy peasy and great at any time. Hopefully in a few days everything should be squared away with the camera and I'll be able to share with you a fun couple days of exciting trips, friends, family, and end of summer fun.

Home grown goodness

A little about me...I love cooking, oh and eating! Not only do I love cooking, I love cooking healthy. Yeah, I am one of those people that actually eat my veggies and like them. Even one of my favorite birthday presents ever was a cookbook...a salad cookbook, from Brian. If I could I would grow all my own veggies and make everything from scratch. That isn't quite in the cards yet but maybe one day. For now I use what I can from our tiny garden to make fresh and healthy meals for my family. For me, I'll pair that delicious meal with a fabulous cocktail(another favorite of mine). On the menu a couple nights ago: Chicken soft taco's with a minty mojito!
Chicken Soft Taco's: Take 1 pound of chicken, chop it up into extra small cubes. Once it is cooked add taco seasoning, water, and simmer. Once the chicken is finished take a whole grain soft taco shell, add chicken, and top with your favorite's. I use sour cream, home grown tomatoes, lettuce, corn, and cheese.
Mojito: Muddle lime, mint(also from the garden), and simple syrup in a glass. Simple syrup can be made easily at home by boiling together 2 parts sugar and 1 part water. Fill glass with ice, white rum, muddled mixture, and club soda. Stir and garnish.

I'm not one for measurements and usually make my drinks on the stronger side. However you like it, this combo is light, refreshing, and perfect to make on a hot night much like the one's we've been enjoying all summer...we are currently in are sixth heat wave so far. Stay cool.

The fruits of my labor

Back in early May when the weather was beginning to warm up we decided to plant a garden. I knew the timing was right because it was truly spring.  The air was getting warm and thick. The sun trickled through the blinds a little earlier each morning taking over the duties of the alarm clock. And, the only shoes I would have to worry about for the next 5 months were my flip flops...oh I love flip flops...and tiny baby fingers and toes.

So, I went to Braeden and asked him for help and what he wanted to grow. He told me he wanted cucumbers and tomatoes. Off we went to Lowe's garden center and picked up 4 cucumber plants, 2 peppers, 2 tomatoes(1 beefsteak/1 cherry) and mint. He was so excited to help and rolled up his sleeves and got to work with his little shovel. I did the same but with my new gardening tools the guys had given me for Mother's Day.

We had so much fun together, and of course Cole was there too. Snoozing in his seat next to us the whole time. We weeded, dug, planted, and watered. He checked out all the bugs and smelled all the leaves. I smiled the whole time enjoying this time with my boys. Watching, learning, daydreaming of all the meals I'll make with these veggies. Those days of my maternity leave, just the 3 of us while dad was at work, I loved. It is so special share the things I love with these boys...the sun, the fresh air, the outdoors. My time off with them both didn't last long, 12 weeks to be exact and from here on out they will be few and far between...for now. Though I'll remember that day, these times with every tomato I pick and cucumber I slice up for a fresh summery salad.

Our little garden that began only a few months ago is blossoming and booming with beautiful colors and smells. They watch the garden grow and I watch them, getting bigger and more beautiful by the second.

Everyday when I pick them up after work, we go out water our veggies, pick the brightest and ripest of the bunch, and enjoy them with our dinner. Our first meal: chicken tacos and a lovely mojito for mama...recipes and pictures to come!