Recipe: Lime Pecan Cilantro Coleslaw

Through our CSA program, I am always getting new food and trying out new recipes. When we received two heads of cabbage I had no idea on what to do. I found a fantastic recipe (Lime Peanut Coleslaw) from 101 Cook Books.

Here’s my adaption on the great summer recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups of pecans (or peanuts)
• 1 medium-large cabbage
• 1 basket of cherry tomatoes quartered or 1 large heirloom tomato diced
• 3/4 cup of cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup of lime juice (fresh)
• 3 tablespoons of good olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt

Directions:

1. Toast peanuts or pecans – if needed.
2. Cut cabbage into thin slices.
3. Add tomatoes and cilantro in a bowl.
4. Stir dressing ingredients in a separate bowl (lime juice, olive oil and salt).
5. Add in dressing and nuts right before serving. Stir well.

This recipe serves six to eight.

Also, we are participating with Ali from Gimme Some Oven and Cassie from Bake Your Day in a Tomato Love recipe exchange. This exchange is in partnership with the International Justice Mission and is raising awareness about the US tomato industry in a program called “Recipe for Change”.

Essentially, the Florida tomato industry have been considered the main place for modern-day slavery within the United States! Here are some specifics provided by Ali and Cassie:  

“Huge strides have been made in developing and implementing a Fair Food Program, which establishes a zero tolerance policy for slavery, child labor and harassment in Florida tomato farms. Industry leaders, supermarket chains (so far, Whole Foods and Trader Joes), and fast food companies (McDonald’s, Subway, Taco Bell and more!) have signed on to the Fair Food Program to help ensure that the tomatoes that we love are harvested by farmworkers in an environment of safety and basic dignity.

There is still work to be done, especially in raising awareness and bringing our country’s main supermarket chains on board to join the Fair Food Program.“

To learn more, check out IJM’s Recipe for a Change website.

Thanks to Ali, Cassie and IJM for making us aware of the situation!

Enjoy,

Ellen

Recipe: Tabouli Salad – My Tomato Love

During the summer, I love having a cool, simple salad to go along with whatever is on the grill. I found this box of Tabouli at the grocery store from Fantastic World Foods. It already has a flavor mixed in, but I added some of my own special touches to make this a great side dish, including adding grape tomatoes. Enjoy!

 Ingredients

• 1 box of Fantastic World Foods Tabouli Salad
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 Cucumber (recommend julienne)
• Grape Tomatoes (diced into quarters)
• Fresh Parsley
• Feta cheese

Directions

• Place the dry Tabouli into a mixing bowl
• Add 1 1/4 cups of boiling water and 2 Tbsp olive oil to the mix
• Let stand in the refrigerator for one hour
• Fluff with fork
• Add diced grape tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, parsley and lemon juice

Also, we are participating with Ali from Gimme Some Oven and Cassie from Bake Your Day in a Tomato Love recipe exchange. This exchange is in partnership with the International Justice Mission and is raising awareness about the US tomato industry in a program called “Recipe for Change”.

Essentially, the Florida tomato industry have been considered the main place for modern-day slavery within the United States! Here are some specifics provided by Ali and Cassie:  

“Huge strides have been made in developing and implementing a Fair Food Program, which establishes a zero tolerance policy for slavery, child labor and harassment in Florida tomato farms. Industry leaders, supermarket chains (so far, Whole Foods and Trader Joes), and fast food companies (McDonald’s, Subway, Taco Bell and more!) have signed on to the Fair Food Program to help ensure that the tomatoes that we love are harvested by farmworkers in an environment of safety and basic dignity.

There is still work to be done, especially in raising awareness and bringing our country’s main supermarket chains on board to join the Fair Food Program.“

To learn more, check out IJM’s Recipe for a Change website.

Thanks to Ali, Cassie and IJM for making us aware of the situation!

Au revior,
Jamie

Looks to Remember

Keeping in the summer wedding spirit, I couldn’t help but share my amazement on how J.Crew has grown their wedding department. I remember when they only had a few bridesmaid and wedding dresses, and now you can find attire for the entire wedding party. I picked out a few of my favorite pieces below, but I insist, if you havent had a good ooohhh and aaahhh in awhile go to the J.Crew Wedding site. The simplicity of everything is what attracts me the most to their dresses and suits. The beauty of a bride and her maids is really in the celebration of the day…I love a blushing bride.

Au Revior,
Jamie

Recipe: Caprese Orzo Salad

I started making my caprese orzo salad a few years ago and it’s a constant request to serve or bring by my husband and friends. It’s a great light salad and perfect addition to your meals in the summer. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time and bring to a BBQ or friend’s house.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of orzo pasta
• Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes (quartered)
• 1/2 cup of basil
• 1/2 cup of pine nuts, toasted
• 1/2 package of feta cheese (or you could replace with 1 8-oz. of mozzarella)

 Directions:

1. Cook orzo according to the directions on the package. Drain and let cool.
2. Lightly toast your pine nuts.
3. Add cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, basil and cheese. Stir well.
4. Pour in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Refrigerate and serve cold.

Enjoy,

Ellen

Setting The Table Series: Plan the Perfect 4th of July Picnic

As part of the continuation of our popular Setting the Table series, we asked our friend Lauren from Mix and Mingle to tell us what she loves about July 4th. She is an amazing party planner and host. She’s always having people over for casual events to elaborate parties.

I met Lauren my freshman year of college and knew we would be best friends when we both had a love for good handwriting and handbags. She actually is the reason that Ellen and I met and became friends!
Au Revior, 

Jamie

One of my favorite things about summer is eating outside.  With the 4th of July quickly approaching, I can’t think of a more fun way to spend the holiday than hosting a picnic for friends to watch fireworks.  Whether it’s in your backyard or at a local park, there are some essential items that you need to ensure your guests are comfortable and you’ve got your bases covered.  

I’ve gathered together some of my favorite items to make hosting your celebration stylish and simple.  Head over to my blog Mix & Mingle to see a full list of essentials for the perfect 4^th of July picnic!

Cheers,

Lauren

photo credit:  hgtv.com

Setting the Table: Summer Movie Preview

As part of the continuation of our popular Setting the Table series, we asked our friend Mitch to provide his summer movie preview.

I met Mitch in 2007 when we worked at a local Kansas City advertising agency. He’s a great guy, fabulous friend and a movie buff.

Jamie and I are extremely excited to go see Magic Mike this summer – don’t judge us!

Enjoy,
Ellen 

Summer Movie Preview

The official beginning of summer may not be until June 20 according to your calendar, but for Hollywood, summer kicks off in early May.  The summer box office has already had its share of hits (The Avengers with $523 million and counting) and misses (Battleship with $44 million and sinking).  However, with Memorial Day now in the books, the real battle for your box office dollar begins.  Here is your guide to all of the biggest movies coming to a theater near you this summer!

JUNE:

 

Snow White and the Huntsman(June 1) – The ever-annoying Kristen Stewart stars as Snow White alongside the ever-beautiful and talented Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen.

 Prometheus (June 8) – Charlize Theron has been a busy lady!  Theron stars alongside Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class) in Ridley Scott’s is-it-or-isn’t-it-a-prequel-to-Alien sci-fi film. 

Rock of Ages (June 15) – Tom Cruise as an idolized 80s hair band god?  Apparently someone saw it.  Ages is the film version of the popular Broadway musical of the same name.  Catherine Zeta Jones (Chicago) and Julianne Hough (Footloose) also star.

  

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter(June 22) – And the winner for most ridiculous and, at the same time, awesome movie title of the summer goes to Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.  The title pretty descriptive as to the plot of the movie – Lincoln is hunting vampires in pre-Civil War America.  Hmmmm.

Magic Mike (June 29) – This one is most definitely for the women.  Magic Mike is loosely based on star Channing Tatum’s (The Vow) own personal life story as a stripper – pre-Hollywood success.

JULY:

The Amazing Spider-Man (July 3) – Tobey Maguire unofficially started the superhero craze when he starred as the web slinger in 2002 (and then for the sequels in 2004 and 2007).  Now, Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) and Emma Stone (Easy A) get a chance to reboot the series.

Ted (July 13) – Okay, just hear me out on this one.  This is the story of a man and his teddy bear, “who comes alive as a result of a childhood wish.”  BUT, it’s written by Seth McFarland, the guy behind TV’s Family Guy and it’s rated R for crude, sexual content, language and drug use.  Sounds promising, right?  Mark Wahlberg (The Departed) stars.

The Dark Knight Rises (July 20) – Arguably the biggest, most anticipated movie of the summer is the final Batman film in Christian Bale’s trilogy.  After the last Batman movie made $533 million, it’s between Rises and The Avengersfor the box office win.

AUGUST:

The Bourne Legacy (August 3) – This is the first Bourne movie without Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne.  This go-around stars Jeremy Renner (The Avengers) as Aaron Cross, a different CIA operative in Bourne’s former outfit.

The Campaign (August 10) – Zach Galifianakis + Will Ferrell + a baby-punching incident = a potentially hilarious end-of-summer comedy.

 

The Expendables 2 (August 17) – The action stars of the 80s and early 90s finally have a steady job – sequels to the surprise hit 2010 film The Expendables.  In this installment, Liam Hemsworth (The Avengers) joins Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Norris and Van Damme.

Enjoy the show,
Mitch

Fashion Friday: Pool Time

My pool opens this weekend. I repeat. My pool opens this weekend. I am ready and then again I am not. I need to make sure my winter skin is ready. But the worst part, I havent even bought a new suit. Have you? Here are a few essentials I found to head to the pool, lake or beach – of course in-style.

Au revoir,
Jamie

Floppy Hat

Love bandeau bikinis with boy shorts

Fancy thongs from Sam Edelmen (very comfy)

Terry cloth cover-up

Straw bag – perfect for magazines, water bottle, rolled up towel and dont forget the sunscreen

Spring to Summer Hair

I can slowly feel it. The air is changing and now so is my hair. I can style it to look perfect inside, but I am exactly like the many commercials, as soon as I step outside – things change. Luckily, there are some great products out there to help. Here are a few of my favorites and how I use them.

P.S. I know Keratin is HUGE right now. I am going to ask my trusted hair expert on some advice on these products and will report back!

Au revoir,
Jamie

Its a 10 Miracle Leave in Product I add this in when I am combing my hair right after the shower. This product helps to maintain that “just styled” texture and look all day long. Its a must when traveling, because it works in all environments.

Moroccan Oil I add this product after I have styled my hair, although my hair stylist also adds it before she blow drys my hair. I think it depends on your hair type, but I like to add it to the ends to add moisture and tame fly aways.  Warning – a little goes a long way!

blow pro – ready set blow I know I have raved about this product before, but its a new one for me, so I am still in my honeymoon phase. It protects hair from blow drying and the environment, and on top of that adds volume. I would use this or It’s a 10, but not both at the same time.

Hair Tie package from Mane Message Another repeat, but with summer coming up, I know I am not alone in always having a hair tie handy. These double as a bracelet and with fun colors you can match to every outfit. I just wish I could have invented these! They are wonderful – dont break your hair, are light so sometimes I forget I have it in and last a long time.

Recipe: Caprese Salad

Who doesn’t love a caprese salad? It’s our constant side dish during the summer but I couldn’t help it this year – I had to start early!

Recipe: Ellen
Photo Credit: Ellen

Ingredients for two servings:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Fresh basil (about 10 leaves)
• Fresh mozzarella (if your grocery store has the kind that they make there – use that!)
• Vine ripened tomatoes (1 tomato)
• Salt/pepper

Directions:

1. Clean and slice tomatoes. Place decoratively on the plate or cut up in squares and put in a bowl.
2. Drizzle lightly with balsamic vinegar.
3. Cut up mozzarella. Place decoratively on the tomatoes or cut up in squares and put in the bowl.
4. Drizzle lightly with balsamic vinegar.
5. Add fresh basil. Place decoratively on the tomatoes/mozzarella or cut up and put in the bowl.
6. Add salt/pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and more balsamic vinegar. If you are putting everything in a bowl, mix it all together.

The recipe is so easy but I know everyone has their own adaptation to it. I love getting all of the ingredients from the farmer’s market (I even grow my own tomatoes and basil!). I also have added watermelon instead of mozzarella and it was delicious! I am thinking about adding pesto next time. What do you do differently? Please share!

Enjoy,

Ellen