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My Body Looks (and Feels) Like Crap–Out With Caffeine, In With Smoothies!

By on April 2, 2012 in Funky Brown Foodie, Uncategorized

Erin's First Smoothie

My day will not start without an iced coffee. I haven’t had it any other way in months. But I started to realize that my skin looks awful, I’m always tired and groggy, and that’s just not good. Then I thought about how much water I drink–not much. I wanted to do a makeup video today (yay!), but my skin looked like a pepperoni and sausage pizza.

So really, it’s time to change my ways. Instead of iced coffee in the morning, I’m to jump on this smoothie train. My friends, family, and the blogosphere seem to already be hip to the game, now it’s my turn!

Today I made my first smoothie! I used 2-2 1/2 cups of a frozen fruit mix, a handful of fresh blackberries and blueberries, a cup of almond milk, a half cup of Minute Maid antioxidant juice, and a handful of kale. Ya know what? It was pretty tasty! There was a bit of sweetness missing, so I might get some agave nectar.

So, along with my Barefoot Contessa challenge, I’m going to do a mini smoothie challenge. I’m also going to try to drink at least 40 oz of water a day. I’ve been saving recipe ideas to my Pinterest boards.

Hopefully this will make my body feel and look better! Now, I just need to start exercising…

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Recipe: Delicious Crab Wontons

By on February 21, 2012 in Recipes
Crab Wontons Recipe

adapted from Peanut Butter and Peppers and Tyler Florence 

The idea to make this came when I had lunch with my brother at Pei Wei. The second I sank my teeth into their version, I was googling the recipe. My version is a bit creamier, but insanely yummy.

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Homemade Iced Coffee: Better Than The Coffeehouse?

By on February 16, 2012 in Uncategorized

It’s tough being addicted to iced coffee. I need it dripping down my throat on a daily basis. Everyone knows what I’m going to order when they see me in line at Starbucks. I hate that, but I get it. I’m s so confused as to why it turns me on this way.

Last Summer, I started my journey to at home bliss. Remember, my standards are high, since I frequent Starbucks and other coffee houses all the time. Had my addiction started with a homemade recipe, I’m sure my whole perspective would be different. When I’m near a Whole Foods, I love to have their iced coffee, as they give you 5 massive ice cubes and their blend is ultra smooth.

coffee testing

I’ve been doing variations of the famous New York Times recipe. I set the jars up at night, and strain and drink them when I’m ready. I’ve been trying different measurements, and realizing that I need far less water than they say I need. I’ve been close, but still haven’t found that perfect, bold blend. The three brands from above are from Starbucks, Zeke’s and Caribou. My next idea to to mix blends together, like Smitten Kitchen.

The plot thickens…

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Barefoot Contessa’s Baked Shrimp Scampi

By on January 31, 2012 in Recipes

Barefoot Contessa's Baked Shrimp Scampi | erinjoy.net

Book: Back to Basics
Recipe No: 001

I’ll preface this post by saying that this was absolutely overwhelmingly delicious. It tasted even better than my favorite restaurants. The pictures need to get way better, and trust me, I’ll be sure to work on that!

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Erin’s Barefoot Contessa Project

By on January 25, 2012 in Recipes, Uncategorized

The Barefoot Contessa Collection Project

Damn you, Julie & Julia.

Once my 6th Ina Garten cookbook hit my bookshelf, I knew I was addicted. Since I love her show, own her cookbooks, and need to eat, why not try to make a few dishes from said books? After selecting over 120 recipes that appear to fit my taste buds, I’ve made my decision.

So today, I’m challenging myself to make 50 recipes from Ina Garten’s books. I’ve already made 10 or so (steak house steaks, pasta salad, onion rings, chicken soup, etc) but I’ll start over. Here are the rules: I must create 50 recipes from within any of the seven Barefoot Contessa cookbooks. I have one calendar year to complete this. In the event that I finish this task six months from now ( July 24th), I’ll add another 25 recipes to complete. I do not own Barefoot in Paris, but I picked it up from the library.

Can’t wait! I’m off to work on the grocery list. : )

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Italian Coldcut Quesadillas

By on January 23, 2012 in Baltimore, Recipes
Italian Coldcut Quesadilla

The Italian Cold Cut is one of those foods that you can almost count on anywhere you go. Kind of. Why spend $8 on one sub, when you can purchase enough meat for a couple of weeks for the same price? But after you eat all of the fatty white bread rolls, here’s another alternative.
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DIY Custom Day Planner, Part 1

By on January 19, 2012 in DIY

I’m notoriously disorganized, except when it comes to my calendar. I’m absolutely obsessed with planners. Over the past month or so, I discovered the world of DIY/crafty blogs. Then I found Kyla Roma. And then, I pretty much lost my mind. Her post on how to make a DIY planner had me jaw-opened-back-flips-pastries-in-paris excited. It never even dawned on me to create exactly what I want in a planner!

In the post, Kyla creates her own cover and book binding. I’m not quite that crafty yet, so I ran to Staples to grab mini binder. This way, I can re-use it year after year, and throw in whatever type of front cover I want. Maybe a little vision board?

Erin's Planner, Part 1

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My 7 Favorite Iphone Apps

By on January 16, 2012 in Uncategorized

iphoneapps

 

After a few months of owning an Iphone, I’ve found quite a few apps that I just can’t stop using. This list is based on the apps that I tend to use most often.

1. Instapaper
This has to be my favorite app! It lets you save things that you want to read later on the web, but saves to the internet. That way, you can read them on your Iphone/Ipad or any other web device. I have the bookmarklets saved on both of my laptops, and I save articles 5-10 times a day. It’s seriously the best $5 app ever.

2. Kindle
I like to purchase my ebooks through Amazon, so I can read them easily at anytime. I currently have Empire State of Mind on deck.

3. Instagram
I love this photo app because it’s a social network based on photography. There are a few really great filters to choose from. It’s really addictive. The main question is, how come people take so many pictures of themselves?

4. Hipstamatic
Love this photo app! You have to purchase different lenses and films, but you can get some really cool effects with it.

5. WordPress
This isn’t the most ideal way to blog, but I’ve been able to get a few sentences completed using it. Most of the time, I just save drafts.

6. Amazon Pricecheck
I use this to scan barcodes of things that I know I’ll find cheaper on Amazon! I always do this at the bookstore. Always.

7. Netflix
I’ve killed plenty of time using this app! When I was addicted to Ally McBeal last year, I used to watch it anytime I could score a few minutes alone.

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Boog’s Barbaque, A Baltimore Classic

By on July 29, 2011 in Baltimore, Funky Brown Foodie

Boog’s Barbaque is the spot for delicious pit turkey, beef or pork. It’s your duty as a carnivore to find something there, even if a sandwich is $9. I’m not going to say it’s the greatest pit sandwich you’ll ever have in your life, but it’s part of the territory. Also, be sure to add bbq sauce and onions at the stand across the way. You can get little cups of baked beans or coleslaw too. The new addition? Kettle chips! They are perfectly crisp, and sprinkled with Old Bay. $4 a basket is steep, but hey, you’re at the yard. My boyfriend and I basically fought over them.

Visit either location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards at 333 West Camden Street and in Ocean City in 401 S. Atlantic Ave in Ocean City. Here’s an awesome review on ESPN.

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Farmers Market Frittata

By on July 12, 2011 in Funky Brown Foodie

After a trip to the Baltimore Farmers’ Market (located under I-83), I decided to whip up breakfast. Instead of omelets, I chose to make a frittata. It’s packed with spinach, seriously sharp cheddar, mushrooms, green peppers, red onions and fresh salted butter.  I used about 4 eggs, and baked the ingredients for 35 minutes. ‘Twas a hit!

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