Coconut Bread

August 12, 2015August 12, 2015 / mikeysinmykitchen / 7 Comments

I am back in my kitchen, babes.

I spent most of the day Sunday making some meals for a friend and trying a couple new recipes. Boy did it feel good to make a complete disaster of my kitchen. I am still finding coconut shred’s throughout the house.

This simple, one bowl, coconut bread is fast to whip up and smells absolutely amazing. It turned out beautifully with a golden brown crust on the top. There is a slight hint of cinnamon followed by the nutty chew of coconut. A tasty bread that is great for breakfast, lunch or a midday snack.

Baking is so therapeutic for me. I usually will turn on some music and get totally lost in whatever it is I’m making. Whether it’s cooking or baking, I love to watch simple ingredients transform into beautiful dishes. I think one of the ways I show love best is by gifting people. Sometimes that’s in the form of an actual gift, a bottle of wine, or a jar of granola. I just feel like it’s a giant hug and a way that I show my gratitude to my friends and family for all they do for me.

Sometimes I’ll get stressed out trying to get the perfect picture of food, and stress out about the edit, or blur, or lighting. But the process from the very beginning (scouring the internet and cookbooks) to the end (clicking publish on my blog or licking the last crumb from a plate) can be so rewarding. I love seeing the comments, shares and reblog’s I receive through this blog. I love the smiles and feedback I get when I bake for someone or bring tasty treats to work. I’ve always been that way. I think I watched my Mom do the exact same thing and loved the way people would light up when they saw her coming with a plate of cookies or a pie.

It’s the little things that can really make such an impact or brighten someones day. You may be a terrible baker. Cooking might be your jam. The idea of carefully measuring out a few dozen small powders and ingredients may be your idea of a nightmare. But, you may be able to throw together the most bomb stir fry with whatever you can dig up in the refrigerator (cough…mikey…cough). No matter if you love to spend time in the kitchen or absolutely hate the thought of turning on your stove, I guarantee you are gifted at loving well.

I encourage you to focus on whatever that talent is. Maybe you can write beautiful words to change someones day. Or perhaps you give a kick ass back massage. Whatever you’re best at, try sharing it with someone today or this week. Not only will you leave someone feeling lighter, loved and with a smile on your face but I promise you it will brighten your day as well!

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Lately

July 31, 2015July 31, 2015 / mikeysinmykitchen / Leave a comment

July flew by in a series of Lately post’s.

I have spent little to no time in my kitchen for about a month. We have been eating a lot of quick salads, smoothies or find ourselves walking to a nearby restaurant to sit outside on the patio and bask in the glorious summer weather.

We had the most relaxing and fun weekend up in Wisconsin with family and I feel refreshed. Lots of vitamin D and time in the water thanks to the beautiful, hot weather. Thankfully, the warm trend seems to be sticking around and this weekend looks to be another abundantly sunny and warm few days.

I am super excited for this weekend. Mikey and I, along with all our friends, are headed to Lollapalooza Music Festival. And by headed to I mean we are walking down the street, which is super convenient. We took last summer off since we had been to Coachella in April so we’re excited to enjoy some amazing music in the steamy hot sun (I am loaded up with sunblock).

I apologize for the lack of food and recipes but promise to get the ball rolling in the next couple weeks! I hope you are having an amazing week and looking forward to the weekend!

Here are some thing’s I’m loving on lately:

This Falafel Burger Slider looks like an amazing way to switch up your BBQ scene. It’s such a great option to offer along side your typical burger and the sauce/topping list could go on and on with this delicious slider!

I dream of piercing my septum. It is my favorite accessory right now and this gorgeous model is super tempting me to get mine done! Not only is the piercing amazing, but her hair is killing me too. This picture sums up the summer for me.

Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Puffs. I don’t think there is much else to say.

I found these wedges and fell head over heels instantly. They are Michael Kors and I scoured the internet to find them but sadly they are no where to be found. HOWEVER, I found a summer version with an open heel/toe and they are on sale, and amazing. You. Are. Welcome.

I’ve always been a giant fan of the Boho look. I go through stages, some are more intense than others, but I will forever love chunky silver jewelry (especially when turquoise is added). This look is not practical for swimming in the ocean or lakes…but I can dream that I could just wear all this to the beach like it ain’t no thang. This is such a whimsey and carefree style and I love every single thing about it.

And here is one more because it’s summer and we have to soak it in while we can!

28

July 15, 2015July 15, 2015 / mikeysinmykitchen / 4 Comments

Well friends, I made it through another year.

27 was an amazing year filled with many ups and downs! I can’t believe another year has passed and we are on to the next one!

Here is a little reflection on the past year:

We bought a house. I became a yoga teacher.

I had major lip surgery quickly followed by a severely rolled ankle. We welcomed some amazing little babies into friend’s and families lives. I became a Godparent! We said goodbye to some amazing lives that will be missed but remain in our hearts forever. Friends got engaged and tied the knot! I ate a ton of amazing food and drank a ton of amazing drinks. We traveled near and far with family and friends. I now get a hangover from one glass of wine, sometimes two if I’m lucky. I still get breakouts like a 7th grader. My cat still wakes me up at 5:30 every day. I lose/misplace at least one thing a day, my phone and keys I lose hourly. I am still capable of making new, amazing friends (shout out to my yogis).

We laughed, we cried, we struggled and we were challenged, we celebrated, mourned, enjoyed, lived and loved as hard as we possibly could.

I ended 27 with a GIGANTIC piece of chocolate cake and started 28 with a doughnut.

Thank you all for all of your love and support! I’ve met some amazing people through this silly little blog and I don’t take any of you for granted!

I’m waaaaaaaayyyyy up I feel blessed.

I am so thankful to my friends and family who have loved me and encouraged me to chase after my dreams. God has blessed me immensely in this life and I can’t wait to see what this next year holds for all of us.

Summer Slaw

July 14, 2015July 14, 2015 / mikeysinmykitchen / 6 Comments

I am a huge fan of slaw in the summer.

We eat sooooo much salad in the summer time that it is nice to switch it up sometimes with a refreshing slaw. This is a delicious slaw that strays from your typical cabbage salads. The addition of sweet summer corn and smooth avocado is absolutely delicious! Top it off with some grilled chicken or fish and I promise you will have a satisfying summer meal.

I remember the first time I tried coleslaw. I didn’t eat vegetables as a kid, especially cabbage. That was something bunny rabbits were supposed to eat and the only cabbage I liked had to do with my Cabbage Patch Kids. I had two, BTW. A baby and a kid. They were awesome up until the hair started to fall our of one of their heads and she formed a huge bald spot. She then became the outcast of my baby dolls and was the kid that always got picked on/was sick in the hospital…I had a big imagination…I was a weirdo.

So anyway, the first time I tried coleslaw…

Like I’ve mentioned before, I had an older cousin who I was obsessed with and we had all ordered KFC at their house. I hated KFC (I’d never even tried it but decided, like most things, that I wouldn’t eat it).

She convinced me to try the coleslaw because it was her favorite and low and behold, it became my favorite too! I’m not sure if I actually did or just lied because I wanted to like what she liked, but I remember from that day on I love coleslaw. At buffets I would add slaw to my plate of only cottage cheese!

Even though KFC fills their slaw with sugar and mayo it’s pretty darn good. I’m a sucker for a creamy slaw. As much as I wish I preferred vinegar based slaw’s (I”m working on it) I always end up pulling in the direction of the less-healthy version.

This slaw, HOWEVER, is a healthy version! I used yogurt instead of mayo so we are all GTG on this healthy, delicious summer slaw!

I hope your summer is going super well! I can’t believe it’s already the middle of July! Tomorrow (15th) is my birthday which in my head always marks the middle of the summer. It makes me super happy because, well, it’s my birthday…but sad because summer is going by SO FAST!

I’m soooo excited to head up to northern WI for one of my very best friend’s weddings this weekend! I can’t wait to see how stunning she will be and then dance my face off!

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Lately

July 10, 2015 / mikeysinmykitchen / 2 Comments

Nothing says summer like a grilled salad with corn.

This beautiful Grilled Romain Salad with corn and avocado has my name all over it! I would probably add some red onion to mine as well. Yum! Can’t wait to try this recipe out soon!

I found this amazing post on Sunset Magazines website. They are all the best camping gear products. Trust me, they are all legitimately awesome and practical camping items! You can take your camping/glamping to the next level with some of these products. Or you can find a fun gift for the camper (or person who has everything) in your life!

PLUS there is a chipmunk sitting on the bed in that tent if you look closely. Add a cute little animal to anything and I’m sure to like it 10% more.

I’m always drawn to dark things for some reason. I like art that is a bit dark and creepy. I love jewelry and accessories with skulls/anything that is black. So obviously I saw this super creepy Mala necklace and fell in love! The bird reminds me of the creepy vultures in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

Maybe Disney films are the reason I have a love/hate relationship with creepy objects? Either way, I love this black and gold necklace made from rare black lava beads, a big tassel and a 14k gold raven skull!

So I saw this new thing…it’s called a WINE SMOOTHIE!

Know what smoothies are? HEALTHY.

Which means wine can be had for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner and IT’S GOOD FOR YOU.

This wine smoothie below is made with white wine and peaches.

Serve a wine smoothie at your next bbq/party and I promise you your friends will think you are the coolest!

Lastly, and most importantly…these shoes.

Can Sam Edelman ever do a thing that’s not perfect?

If I were to dream up a perfect shoe I wouldn’t even be able to come close to these beauties. The wooden heel (click the link for more angles of the shoe) the tribal beading, straps, fringe…I just can’t even.