Life-Changing Information

Caramelized Pineapple Chicken Quesadilla with Spicy Strawberry Salsa

Photo by how Sweet it is.

Seriously, how does one come across a beauty like this and NOT continue to pass on to my fellow foodies? I am one of those people that LOVES food, yet suffers from chronic severe nausea, how unfair is THAT?! Being that I deal with that constant battle, when I find something that actually sounds good and that I can eat, I get beyond excited! I came across this recipe today done by the people over at how Sweet it is and just needed to pass it on to you! It is a delicious mix of spicy and sweet, and we could all use a little bit of both in our lives. Try it for yourself and come back to let us know how your's turned out! I think that the only swap out I would make would be parsley for the cilantro. I have never been able to stomach cilantro very well, so it is a normal "swap" for me.
Caramelized Pineapple Quesadillas
serves 2
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks, cut into squares
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 vidalia onion, diced
1 small poblano pepper, seeded and diced
1 boneless, skinless grilled chicken breast, shredded
6 ounces monterey jack cheese, freshly grated
1/2 cup freshly torn cilantro
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Add pineapple and toss with salt and cinnamon, cooking until caramelized and golden, flipping occasionally – about 6-8 minutes. Remove pineapple and place in a bowl, then add another 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil, tossing in onions and peppers with a pinch of salt. Stir and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes, then remove from the skillet and place in the bowl with the pineapple.
Reduce the heat in the skillet to low, add another 1/2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Place a tortilla down, then cover in a sprinkling of cheese (make sure you leave enough for the second quesadilla), chicken, the pineapple, onions and peppers, and cilantro, then add another sprinkle of cheese. Cook until tortilla is golden, then gently flip, keeping the ingredients inside, and cook until other side is golden. Repeat with remaining quesadilla, and serve with strawberry salsa.

Photo by how Sweet it is.

Spicy Strawberry Salsa
1 medium tomato, chopped
3/4 cup chopped strawberries
1/4 red onion, finely diced
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and diced
1/3 cup freshly torn cilantro
1 lime, juiced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Combine all ingredients together in a bowl and mix thoroughly. The longer it sits, the more flavor that develops. Keeps well in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Revolutionary by David Eichenberg

Revolutionary
7.5” x 8” (Without Frame)
15” x 14.5” (With Frame)
Artist Designed and constructed frame) 23K Yellow Gold Leaf and 13.25K White Gold Leaf over White Oak. 2009
Oil on Panel

This was a portrait that I modeled for and the first of many done by artist David Eichenberg. I told him many times that he has NO idea just how much this changed who I was. It all came along, perfectly timed, at the right point of my life. The fact that he called it Revolutionary was monumental for me. Forever will it be a turning point for me. All my selfishness aside, he is an amazing person who I have been blessed to have gotten to work with. Blessed to have seen yet another beautiful creation come out of him… www.davideichenberg.com

Summer Chili for a Raining Day

 

It has been raining all morning here and the gloom is getting to me, makes me want to cook… I’m in a bit of a predicament though, because the Lemur King is sleeping and I can’t go out to shop for the needed ingredients. When I am finally able to go shopping though, you can bet that I am going to pick up the things needed for a summer chili. I have been craving it lately and had to go on a hunt of sorts this morning to find a good recipe. The chili gods answered me though because I came across this beautiful recipe over at The Smith Scoop and couldn’t contain myself! It had to be shared… She even has this amazing little trick with a pie plate and grease that was SO simple, yet made SO much sense! So click on the photo and go check it out!

Taking a Moment in the Park

Very rarely lately have I stopped to take a moment to myself.  This fact alone has been wearing on me, as I normally try to take the moments that I need in order to keep my head clear. That lacking of time is showing some ugly truths that I’d rather just turn a blind eye to. It’s hard for me to admit when I am getting slightly “out of control,” and even harder to then reverse my actions and do the right thing.

Luckily, my little downtown area, Kellogg Park, of Plymouth, MI has just the place for it. It pains me that I am going to have to move away from this area. I love the fact that it has the BIG open park in the middle with every shop you could possibly want within walking distance. Not to mention, if hanging out for a drink is your thing, I think there is something like five or six bars within the small downtown area, so there is no lack of socializing! Especially in the Summer, the kids and I like to spend quite a bit of time down there. The surprising thing? Plymouth is filled with wealth and yet, this city has always accepted the uniqueness with which I have chosen to live my life. There is that lack of stares and disrespect that I get most places. Can’t even explain how much I appreciate that. I definitely need to start taking more time to clear my head than I have been. There was a reason that I fell in love with this city in the first place, it brings me peace…

My Boy and the Mushroom

I haven’t been to Plummer Pool in Sylvania, Ohio in close to ten years but ended up going today with my boys. Mom said that she couldn’t work the camera on her phone, which was of no surprise to me. The surprise was finding out that she actually was able to get a few shots and I just loved this one. This was the Lemur King’s first time around a water “mushroom” and he was clinging to me like a little monkey! He would stick his hand out so the water could hit his hand, but then scream and laugh in delight all while acting like he wanted to run away.

I get the biggest kick out of people. Funny how many people make remarks about my hair as if I am not standing in earshot. The biggest misconception still being that my hair is dirty. Please people, think about this logically, with all the advancements we have made in technology, science and otherwise, don’t you think that there are cleaner ways to put your hair in dreads?

Living the Day Under a Beehive

I have no idea what to do with this mess! When it is hot like this, I am reminded of just how heavy my long locks have become. When it is down, it is hard to remember the pain that comes from wearing my hair up for the day. You do know that I welcome your suggestions, right? I mean, I totally trust your opinion when it comes to this type of thing. I am not complaining in the least, just pointing out today’s realization. Throw some ideas at me, my friend…