Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Paleo Kitchen: Chardonnay Shrimp Scampi

There are actually no words to describe my love of shrimp scampi and Chardonnay. So, I decided to put them together because why not? It's paleo... right? (Maybe not 100% the wine, but... it's wine. Isn't it essential to life? I think Cavemen and cavewomen alike would make multiple exceptions.)

Can I just complain for a quick second? I LOVE SHRIMP! WHY DO THEY HAVE TO BE CALORIE FILLED? Damn things. I mean like... 6 large/extra large pieces for 140 calories. I can low-key easily eat like 18 pieces of shrimp soooooooo.... Stackin' up them caloriessssss. I try to only eat shrimp like 4 times a month (aka every other week and then the next day for leftovers, yum.)

Also... It is just SO TEMPTING to snack on the shrimp as you're making them. The best chef always tastes her own food from time to time ;). But these tasty little morsels are just... Well, gotta taste them all, right?

JUST LOOK AT HOW APPETIZING THEY ARE #YUM.


Okay, let me give y'all the recipe because that's why you're probably reading this hahaha.

Chardonnay Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds of thawed, raw, unshelled shrimp (any size shrimp works, but I personally love the large/extra large ones)
  • 4 cloves minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp garlic oil
  • 1/2 diced tomato
  • 6 ounces of Chardonnay (cheap is fine, the world will continue. I use Oak Leaf. They're like $3-5/bottle!!!)
  • 3 tbsp coconut oil (or ghee, but the coconut oil is just as good)
  • 1 diced jalapeno
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp parsley (I love parsley, so I'm never parse on it, hehe)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice or the juice from 1 lemon
  • Lemon zest from 1 lemon
Instructions 
  • Heat up the olive oil in a large sauce pan on medium heat.
  • Throw in the garlic and jalapenos for 3-4 minutes (If the smell of jalapenos bother you, then wait to throw them in!)
  • Throw in the tomatoes. (Then throw in the jalapenos if you didn't put them initially!)
  • Add the coconut oil (or ghee)
  • Throw in the shrimp and cook for about 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the salt and parsley.
  • Add the lemon juice.
  • Throw in the Chardonnay. Then cover and let sit for 4-5 minutes.
  • Uncover and then add the lemon zest. Mix.
  • Lower the heat until it simmers and let it simmer for about 10 minutes with the cover half on.
Salad 

Okay, this was boring, but it photographs so beautifully. I only used romaine lettuce, carrots (which I peeled to make small ribbons), and raw onions. Then I used the sauce from the shrimp as my dressing. And then topped it off with shrimp (and extra parsley!) 

The whole thing was yummy! Not all too filling, so make sure to add a side of veggies! I had baby carrots and green beans on the side that were tossed in the sauce :).

So, these instructions and ingredients might not work for you, but that's fine. I'm not one to stick to recipes and neither should you. Cooking is so much more fun when you are inspired by something and then free hand the rest! I don't even actually use measuring utensils, so everything listed is a rough estimate, hehehe. I hope you enjoy it though :D!

Friday, June 5, 2015

Friday Reflections: 6/5/15

Ah. Today marks the end of the first week in June and the end of my first full week at work! I've been pretty much at peace with myself lately. I intern at The DC Ladies and hopefully I'll be volunteering at the American Cancer Society!

I'm just happy. No reason whatsoever. Maybe it's the paleo: I feel lighter and healthier and happier. I cheated and ate some wheat, but I still felt so freakin' good. So there's that :).

I haven't been to the gym lately, but I should probably get back to that... The weather has been disgusting and after running outside in the nice, fresh air, the gym has got me feeling a little claustrophobic when I use the treadmill. Maybe I'll search the site and see what group fitness classes they have on my free days and then go for a run on the days I have work.

Looking ahead: Italy and the cruise (read places where I cannot escape pasta and grains) is in T minus 16 days. We leave on Sunday the 21st. On the 20th, I'll be doing Fitness Fest hopefully and getting a much deserved mani-pedi and threading for my face. On the 19th, I have a photoshoot as part of my internship! How cool is that? So in these next two weeks, I will be all about the fitness and the health and the toning and the running.

Would it be beneficial for me to make a tab so that I can keep myself accountable? I'm not sure if it will be... I've been counting calories, but is it worth it in paleo? I stopped a couple days ago and I noticed that my food habits haven't really changed, except now I don't feel guilty when I eat an ounce of cashews or almonds when I'm hungry!

Hmm.

Well. I probably won't do the fitness tab but I'll still continue the paleo tab :). Today, I'm making cauliflower rice to eat with leftover ground beef. I'd add that but I don't find that important enough to add to my list of recipes since they're both basic but great staples!

I don't have any weekend plans except cleaning my room, yay...

OH. I forgot to add: my dog has a stupid yeast infection in her ear. Ugh that's so sad and annoying. And her right kneecap keeps popping, but the Doctor said as long as she's not limping, she's good.

Well, I should end on a positive note...

I'm trying to actually write a novel and I'm halfway through chapter 2! I want to finish it this summer. We will see what happens! Ah!