Shrimp Tacos

This week’s meal was a steal from The Pioneer Woman’s blog. I really enjoy her recipes because she keeps it really simple or at least to me it is simple. A lot of time I’ll want to make something that I cannot find all the ingredients for.  

So this week’s new dish was Shrimp Tacos. They were overall simple fast, healthy and really tasty.

Here is a link to her recipe.  
The only I left out was the pico de gallo because I wasn't in the mood to make fresh and didn't like the looks of it at our local grocery store. I used frozen shrimp too but it seemed to turn out okay although I would have liked to use fresh shrimp. I also substituted the corn tortillas for whole wheat tortillas with a "fiesta" flavoring and I really enjoyed those. Everything else was what she used, I even found the same brand of tomato sauce which is rare in the these parts.

I would definitely recommend this recipe if you are looking to spice up taco night. Below is my version of the shrimp taco.

Easy Healthy Eating

So one of my goals on my 27 before 28 list was to cook new meals once a week. I have been doing it but have not been posting them so I decided that I will start posting the new meals. This week was a simple meal that I made up last minute. I read a lot of recipes about making your own chicken nuggets or tenders so I decided to have a go at it.

I went to Save-a-lot and bought four boneless skinless chicken strips. These were $2.11 which is a deal. When you are single and only cooking for yourself you definitely want to shop where you don’t have to get everything in bulk or large amounts.

I made a mixture of Panko breadcrumbs and just a little bit of grated parmesan cheese. I dredged the chicken in one beaten egg and then through the mixture.  Put on a baking sheet and baked with a side of sweet potatoes drizzled in honey.  I paired the two with a side salad which took up most of the plate.  The dinner was pretty good and way healthier than those fast food chicken fingers that are deep fried.  

I would like to start a group that meets like once a week and shares a healthy recipe or maybe once every two weeks.  My friend Clarissa and I talk about doing this all the time but never ever do it. So if you read my blog and you want to have a healthy dinner with me send me a message and we can have a date.  It could just be a one-time thing or something we do regularly but I thought it is definitely a way to find new ideas for healthy food.

28 Before 29

I love lists. I make lists when I have housework to do, when I have something to plan, when I go to the grocery store and hell even when I am bored I make lists. I enjoy having a list because it is something tangible to make sure I am getting stuff done.

A popular list I see on the Internet is do “Current age things to do before next age”. Since I turned 27 last week I thought there is no better time for me to start a goal list before I turn 28. That is what this blog is about but I haven't really decided what I am gonna go. So this year I will achieve 27 things before March 5, 2013, as long as the world doesn't end, ;).

So here it is:

1. Visit Carlos Bakery from Cake Boss
2. Go to Batting Cages
3. Sew a Wearable Outfit (whether for me or someone else)
4. Take Cake Decorating Classes
5. Reconnect with at least 10 Old Friends
6. Go on a Tour of the Yuengling Brewery
7. Learn to Shoot Guns
8. Go out in State College
9. Take Hiking More Seriously
10. Cook One New Meal a Week
11. Read at Least 9 Books
12. Dedicate More Time to Blog
13. Go To a Concert
14. Make My Own Cupcake Flavor
15. Go to Broadway Show
16. Style My Hair More Often
17. Get a New Tattoo
18. Bake a Pie (really have never done it)
19. Go Camping
20. Start Biking Regularly
21. See a Movie Alone
22. Go on an Impromptu Road-trip around Pa
23. Rebuild My Savings
24. Print Every Roll of Film in the Box I found from High School
25. Join a Club or Try a New Activity I Never Done Before
26. Go to a Drag Show
27. Be Happy With Me and all my Awesomeness

I was gonna add meet Ryan Gosling to my list but that is more of a dream list so I'll settle for some

Hey, Girl throughout this year.

So most of my list are attainable things, physically where as the last goal is something I really need to work on. I am talking to a therapist right now and she tells me I need to do more positive self talk and push those mean thoughts about myself out of my head.

So here is to another year older and hopefully a little more wiser and happier.

I'll tell ya what I want

I haven't blogged in what seems like forever and I feel awful. I didn't stop because I finished the bucket list or because I am so happy so happy with myself that I just stopped. Life just got in the way, plain and simple. During the past month or so, I have changed jobs and just tried to stay busy. The busier I am the less my mind wanders.

Occasionally though my mind did wonder. After you break up with someone it is only natural to reflect on what drew you to that person and what pushed you away. A lot of people don't sit and think what they want in a person, they are just happy to have anyone there. Sometimes I wish I could be that way but I am stubborn and I know what I want and I that is what I have to have.

So here is the start of list of wants:

I want someone who is educated. I used to think this meant someone who went to college. As I get older I realize there is so much learning out there that is not in a classroom. So as long as they are a life

long learning that would make me happy.

I want someone who gets along and loves his family. I regularly hang out with my cousin and my mom is like one of my best friends. DB rarely hung out with his family and it was so foreign to me. I want my partner's family to feel like my family. If he leaves the room I don't want it to feel awkward. I want the same warmth I get from my mother.

I want someone who enjoys the little things in life, like a Sunday drive or a walk in the woods. In the same token I want someone who can make any situation fun. If we are walking by a band playing grab my hand and dance along. I love someone who just takes life in and lives every moment. I want spontaneity and kept me on my toes. Who would randomly drive hours to go someone we saw on TV. Someone who plans surprises for me and I don't always have to think of what to do.

I think every few weeks I'll reflect on what I want in a partner.

Like I said before I feel like a lot of people don't want to be alone so they cling to anyone. Hell, I went through this a few months ago. You really need to reflect on what you want and need in a partner. So that years down the line when things are falling a part you are not looking at this person and thinking “Why did I pick you?”

A big part of knowing what you want is knowing who you are. Sometimes I feel like along the way I lost myself. The past few months this journey helped me realize who I am and who I want to be. I look forward to a new year or change and getting to know myself better.