a weekend in Baltimore

Whenever I go to a  new city, I always turn to Instagram for advice. It's a million and a half times better than Yelp, where almost all the reviews are written by people who are either pissed off or want to feel important. Its simple, just type in the name of the city and search under Places, and Instagram will give you a snapshot of what real people are actually doing in the city. I did it before I moved to Lexington (although there wasn't much to look at with that one), I did it before the boyfriend and I went to Dallas for a wedding, and I did it before I moved to Durham. Instagram is really what got me excited about Durham. There were so many local restaurants, dog-friendly events, local makers, and outdoor activities posted, I couldn't wait to move. I'm doing the same thing to plan for our trip to Napa and I'll start doing it again for Dallas when we get ready for our next move. So when I was going to Baltimore for a wedding, I couldn't help but turn to Instagram to find things to do. Sure, I grew up in Baltimore and moved back for three years after college, but the city is changing so much (in a good way). New restaurants and stores are popping up all the time, and I want to try them all. 

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you look at it), Dixie always comes with me when I go to Baltimore and ALWAYS insists on sleeping on my parent's bed with her favorite human (my mom) and her always favorite sheepadoodle/sometimes favorite puppy (delilah). Every morning I'm there, the two little doodles wake up between 6 and 7 a.m., wake up their favorite human, and make her take them out to play. Normally, I would be the sad soul forced to get up before sunrise on a Saturday, but in Baltimore, I'm not. The bad part is, without my little puppy alarm clock, I will literally sleep all day and miss the opportunity to explore Charm City. When I went back to Baltimore for a wedding (for the same friend from this tropical bridal shower), I made a plan. I wasn't going to sleep my way through this weekend (okay, well maybe a little). Here's my guide for spending a wedding weekend in Baltimore!

F R I D A Y

first stop - hotel

Baltimore has a lot of great hotels, and the couple will likely have blocked off rooms in a hotel near the venue, but if your looking for somewhere to stay, the Four Seasons Baltimore or The Ivy are two great options.  

The Ivy is a  boutique hotel in the heart of Mount Vernon made up of nine guest rooms, nine suites, a small spa, and the Magdalena restaurant. The hotel is a Gilded Age mansion built as a private home in 1889. Each room has a four-poster bed, a gas fireplace, and a bathroom with a heated floor. If the heated bathroom floor isn't enough luxury for you, you can also call down at any time of the day or night, and hotel staff will bring you a pot of tea, a glass of wine, a little snack, or they'll even draw you a bath. 

The Four Seasons is a Four Seasons. They're great wherever you go. Although the last time I stayed at the FS in Baltimore, they were doing construction in Harbor East and accidentally hit some line that cut off the heat and hot water in the hotel. It was the middle of winter. But the summer is when the FS Baltimore really shines. Head up to the fourth and fifth floors to discover the hotel's THREE water areasoverlooking the inner harbor. The "Splash Terrace" on the fourth floor features chairs, cabanas, a bar and grill, and of course, a pool perfect for kids or early morning laps. The fifth floor has a heated whirlpool and a shallow reflecting pool. The reflecting pool is only three inches deep, which is the perfect depth for tanning. Drag a chair into the pool, and tan away without overheating. If you're traveling with kids, they can dress up in child-sized bathrobes while you take advantage of the complimentary babysitting services. 

second stop - food

Hampden has a special place on my heart. I absolutely loved living there and still miss it. There are so many great restaurants in this little neighborhood, but my absolute favorite is La Cuchara.  Okay, fine. This is technically in Woodberry, but if you aren't from Baltimore you wouldn't even know these were two separate neighborhoods. La Cuchara specializes in wood-fired cuisine inspired by the Basque region of France and Spain.

The menu changes daily, so I can't recommend a specific dish, but I can say that I've never had a bad dish. I've tried pumpkin soup with a delicate heat, octopus with just the right amount of char, gnocchi so delicious that I forgot I was eating a vegetarian dish, and duck that, well, I love duck... you could probably do anything to duck and I would eat it. Also, you'll want to check your diet at the door. Unless you're on an all-carb diet, because they have the most delicious bread. Bread so good that it has its own menu. Bread so good that they have a Baker on staff. Bread so good that you can and should order some to take home with you.

They also have a great wine list. Great, but long with prices upwards of $350. It can be intimidating.  Luckily,  Greg Schwab, an Advanced Sommelier,  is there to help you pick out a great bottle. If you've watched Somm on Netflix (and if you have, you should watch the follow-up, Somm: Into the Bottle), you know this means he has passed three out of the four exams required to be a Master Sommelier and, therefore, really, really knows his shit. But don't be so quick to overlook their cocktail list. Start with a cocktail, like Wilbur’s Delight (Gin Mare Gin, Green Chartreuse, Creme de Violette Contratto Bianco) and then move on to a bottle of wine.  Sure, you could pace yourself and go to a bar after dinner, but with a wine and cocktail list like this, you won't want to.

S A T U R D A Y

first stop - breakfast  

I love room service. On vacation growing up, my parents would go out to dinner  and my brothers and I got to stay in the room, order room service, and rent a movie. It was great. My youngest brother always ordered a shrimp cocktail, a love for which he still has today. But the best is room service is  breakfast room service. I love any reason stay in bed longer, and waffles and coffee just taste better in pajamas. If that doesn't speak to you, Miss Shirley's is a Baltimore staple. Try the Funky Monkey Bread (cinnamon pull-apart bread with bananas, chocolate, pecans, and powdered sugar), Coconut Cream French Toast (garnished with diced strawberries, brûléed bananas, and cinnamon), or Shirley's Affair with Oscar (5 oz. center cut filet of beef, asparagus, jumbo lump crab meat on fried green tomatoes and stone ground grits). 

second stop - shopping & refuel

You won't have trouble finding a place to spend your money in Harbour East. Sassanova is my favorite boutique, and Baltimore-based Under Armour has a brand house right on the water. You'll also find national brands like Anthropologie, J. Crew, lululemon, and Warby Parker all within walking distance. 

If you're looking for boutiques more unique to Baltimore, I'd head over to Fells Point. There are some really adorable boutiques all within walking distance of each other on the cobblestone streets that line one of the prettiest parts of Baltimore's inner harbor.

(1) Polina's Prive | (2) Poppy + Stella | (3) Brightside Boutique | (4) Katwalk | (5) Winkel | (6) Party Dress | (7) Freesia | (8) Su Casa

There are also a ton of restaurants in Fells Point if you need sustenance.  My top three favorites are:

1. Slainté - their poutine fries and gumbo are killer & with it being an Irish pub, they have a decent beer selection as well.

2. Stuggy's Hot Dog - the crab mac and gyro dog are my favorites, but the Bruce lee is really popular too

3. Abby Burger Bistro - You build your own burger, but the possibilities are endless. To give you an idea, here is the list of meats you can choose from: bison, roseda beef, smoked angus beef, kobe beef, chicken, lamb, kangaroo, turkey, duck, and the meat of the month. There's not enough space to get into the cheese and topping choices.

 third stop - pampering  

The Ivy and the Four Seasons both have great spas, but if you're just looking for some light pampering, treat yourself to a blowout and a glass of champagne at Haute Dry Bar.

If you're traveling with a date, take him with you to The QG. You both can treat yourself to a facial, manicure, pedicure, and/or massage. If that isn't quite his thing, they also offer straight razor shaves, beard trims, and quick haircut "tune-ups". If this still isn't speaking to him, then he can check out their retail store or smoke a cigar in their cigar lounge. There's also a ladies retail sotore if you need to add a new Barbour to your wardrobe. 

pit stop - drinks

I personally love a good lobby bar, and my mom is the same way. Whenever she would visit me in Memphis, we would always meet in the lobby of the Peabody and grab a drink. If you're staying at the Four Seasons, you're in luck because Wit & Wisdom is also a great bar! Magdalena at The Ivy is also a great place to grab a pre-ceremony cocktail!

t h e   m a i n   e v e n t 

(i.e., a wedding, gala, party, or holiday meal)

last stop - munchies

The Local Fry actually serves wings,sandwiches, and rice bowls in addition to fries... but let's talk about those fries. Anything you could ever want on fries, they have. They have the classics like poutine, Irish fries (fish and chips), and buffalo chicken fries. But they also have killer dishes like kimchi pork belly fries, bulgogi fries, and Korean short rib fries! Your belly will thank you. 

At Grilled Cheese & Co., they have, not shockingly, a wide selection of grilled cheese. Go for the Crabby Melt with ooey gooey crab dip topped with Monterey Jack between two slices of toasty ciabatta or The Sweetest Thing with Brie, raspberry mascarpone, and chocolate chips. You can also stick closer to the original with their BCT or bacon-cheddar-tomato. Now, the crabby melt should be on a bagel or a baguette with some of the bread scooped out of the bottom slice so it doesn't spill out as much, the Sweetest Thing should be on French toast, and the BCT should CLEARLY be a BPT - bacon, pimento cheese, and a fried green tomato... but it's still pretty good, and after a night of drinking that pretty good becomes great. 

S U N D A Y  

first stop - brunch

Before you leave charm city, make sure you get one last meal in. 

Sushi lovers should venture into the county for Umi Sake's unlimited sushi brunch. Try to get there as close to 11 as you can. That's when it starts and you'll have first pick of all the sushi options. They don't always label the sushi, so if you're not feeling adventurous, you can also order off their regular menu. I can't get enough of the lemongrass hot & sour soup, the tuna tataki, and crispy spicy tuna. 

On game days, sports fans should head over to Cross Street Market in Federal Hill where Ravens or Orioles fans will be flooding the streets. It's also great for groups that can't decide what they want. You can basically get anything at across Street - sushi, wings, breakfast plates, crabs.... they have it all. 

Fans of The Wire should head over to Pulaski Highway and grab lunch at Chaps Pit Beef. Obviously, their Pit Beef sandwich is a Baltimore classic and my personal favorite. Just remember that you're not Wee Bay and nobody needs THAT much horseradish. You definitely need a little though, and the Tiger Sauce has just the right amount. While you're at it, the cheese fries & mac and cheese are also a necessary component of the meal.  

And finally, if you think you can never have too much of a good thing, Little Havana is the place for you.  For $20.99 you get one breakfast entreé (like huevo rancheros or a hamburguesa) and BOTTOMLESS mimosas and bloody mary's. Try to sit outside if you can; it's right on the water and dogs are allowed on the back deck! Miss Dixie Doodle is a fan.

 last stop - airport

I hope this helps you make the most out of your time in Baltimore and charm city never stops charming you! 

a coconut-crazed breakfast

This breakfast is one part mushrooms, one part matcha latte, and one part everything but the kitchen sink.

I got hooked on matcha lattes when I would delay going to work by stopping by Starbucks. That's right, gold card member over here. The only problem is I dislike Starbucks coffee wayyyy more than I disliked my job, and I wasn't going to pay whatever ridiculous price they charge for hot water and a 25¢ tea bag. One day I saw a "green tea latte" on the menu, and I decided to give it a try. It was sweet and creamy and tasted like green tea candy and I was in love. I later threw up, probably because there were 6-8 pumps of simple syrup in my medium drink, but I decided to blame my ongoing GI issues and not the latte. But I did start ordering the green tea lattes unsweetened and with soy milk. UPDATE: a Starbucks recently informed me that the new GTL recipe calls for no sweetener!

In Lexington, there wasn't a Starbucks or a coffee shop I trusted to make anything but coffee. So I had to learn to make my own, which is where this recipe originated. In Durham, I live walking distance from Coco Cinnamon, which makes this beauty... 

...but I'll still make my own when I don't feel like walking or when I have extra coconut milk from my favorite creamy roasted mushrooms. And since I make these mushrooms at least once a week, I end up making a lotta matcha. 

Now let me tell you about these mushrooms.

Glorious, delicious mushrooms.

I am obsessed with these shrooms, and I definitely thought about posting them before. The problem (besides my being distracted by moving and the apartment flooding) is I don't use measuring cups or anything when I'm cooking so I never really know how much of each ingredient ends up in the dish. I didn't know how to share my non-recipes in a way that people would find decipherable. 

But then I read the letter from the editor in the October 2016 issue of Bon Appétit. Adam Rapaport said that when you follow a recipe to the T, you don't actually learn how to cook, because when you completely trust a recipe, you stop trusting yourself. 

So by not providing exact measurements, I'm really giving you the gift of trust, of believing in yourself. You're welcome.

But if the mushrooms sauce starts to look like this, it means you forgot you were cooking something and let it simmer too long.  Or at least that's what it meant for me. But they were still delicious and I ate every last one. So don't give up on you meal if you mess up once or twice.

But seriously, instead of worrying about exact measurements, focus on the look, smell, and taste of your meal. Unless you end up eating it all before you finish cooking, there's no such thing as over-tasting your food. Oh, and try not to start any fires. But if you do, don't worry... been there, done that as recently as Thanksgiving thank you very much. Just make sure you have a fire extinguisher (I did not). 

Ingredients 

for the mushrooms 

• Whole mushrooms, whatever kind you like, wiped clean (I like to slice mine in half)

• Spoonful coconut oil

• 1 can of full fat coconut milk (place coconut milk in the fridge at least 24 hours before staring this dish)

• minced garlic

• fresh or dried thyme (use less if cooking with dried thyme)

• salt

• pepper

• & everything but the kitchen sink (i.e. optional ingredients):

  • kale

  • parmesan

  • eggs

  • sweet potato

  • truffle salt (or truffle oil, but I like truffle salt here because the salt helps make the coconut oil a bit more savory)

  • whatever else you think will make this even more delicious

for the latte 

• rest of the full fat coconut milk (you'll only use a little bit for the mushrooms

• matcha powder

• honey (optional)

Remove coconut milk from the fridge (if you forgot to put it in the fridge in the first place, don't worry about it).  

Preheat oven to 425. Put a spoonful of coconut oil in a baking dish and put in the oven until the oil has melted. Toss cleaned mushrooms and chopped thyme in the coconut oil, and spread in an even layer in the baking dish. Roast until mushroom are golden brown.

Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add the mushrooms, oil, thyme mix to the pan. If you want to be really crazy, add a handful of kale (ripped into manageable sized pieces) to the pan too. Open the can of coconut milk, there should be a layer of cream at the top. If you remembered to put the can in the fridge, the cream should have solidified. Add a scoop or two of the solidified cream (more if still liquid) to the pan.

Once it's all melty and has coated the mushrooms, taste the cream and add salt, truffle salt, pepper, and more thyme. Use a light hand as the flavor will deepen as the cream thickens. You can always add more seasoning later. 

Once the sauce has a good consistency and you are satisfied with the taste, transfer the mushrooms to a plate.

the entire meal is Dixie approved.

TIP: I like to leave a little bit of oil/cream in the pan, remove the pan from heat to let it cool, and then  scramble in some eggs with the residual oil/cream and whisk it all over medium-low heat until just cooked. I read something once in a cooking magazing about the perfect omelet, and I distinctly remember that one chef said the eggs should have the consistency of dog slobber. I thought that was absolutely disgusting, until I tried slow scrambling eggs. (Oh and I actually found an article discussing that quote, it was coincidentally in an article by Adam Rapaport). Throw it all on some sweet potato toast (take 1/4 inch slices of sweet potato & put in the toaster at the highest setting 2-3 times per side) and you have a breakfast in paleo heaven. 

AS FOR THE LATTE... 

Heat the remaining coconut milk and cream in a sauce pan. Once warm, add honey to sweeten. Make matcha per the package instructions. Fill mug halfway with matcha and pour the sweetened coconut milk to the top. Mix and enjoy.  

happy eating! 

A Tropical Bridal Shower

I'm back! Moving is quite possibly the worst thing in the world, and hopefully I won't have to do it for another two years. I refuse to do it. This place could flood five more times, and I'm staying put. Oh yeah, our apartment flooded a week after we moved in. Apparently somebody vandalized the construction site by stuffing a piece of wood inexposed pipe. And that pipe just happened to be just below my bathroom. And one day people in the apartment above me decided to take an extra long shower and that piece of wood sent their shower water and whatever sewage was stuck in that pipe right up through my toilet and shower drain. Fun times. But not nearly as fun as the party behind this post...

I got to throw my very first bridal shower last month for a friend whom I have known for over 20 years. I'm still in shock that I'm (a) old enough to have friends that are getting married and (b) old enough to have known somebody for 20+ years. 

We had the shower in late September, so the obvious pun-filled theme would be "'Fall'-ing in love." But the bride-to-be loves pineapples and is honeymooning in the Caribbean, so a tropical shower was totally called for. Now I wanted to do a full-out "honeymoon shower"  where people bring gifts for the honeymoon. It didn't even have to be raunchy... a new pair of sandals, a nice suitcase, sunglasses, monetary gifts that could be used toward a room upgrade or fun outings. But then we saw that the bride wanted to invite 50 people and included some grandmothers on her invite list, and we knew if we called it a honeymoon shower there would be a at least one person who would give the raunchiest item at the sex shop as a gift. 

My parents have an awesome back yard and quite the collection of pineapple decor, and they graciously allowed me to hold the shower there. 

 (I still can't believe we got so lucky with the weather. It was GORGEOUS.)

(can you find the ring?)

I know a lot of bridal showers are filled with games, but I settled on just one: a ring hunt. I hid rings around the party, and whoever found the most by the time we opened presents got to take home one of the flower arrangements. 

For drinks guests had the choice of a mimosa (with orange juice or pineapple juice) or rosé, which would be poured in their souvenir: a customized wine glass from beau-coup.

The menu is where I really got to have fun. I had a mix of homemade and store-bought food, mainly for my own party-prep sanity. We bought donuts (appropriately called OC Sand) from Fractured Prune and bought fruit salad and frozen waffles from the grocery store. I know Chef Kwame had to pack his knives & go for using frozen waffles, but they were appropriate in this case. You gotta know your audience. We also bought fresh baked quiches from a bakery. We decided to buy enough for each person to get one slice and that would just be way too overwhelming for one non-professional baker to make. As for the homemade items, a guest offered to make a salad, and I was able to make two sauces for the waffles: cinnamon-banana honey butter (recipe coming soon) and coconut syrup. I also made my favorite medianoche sliders (recipe also coming soon). They're seriously so good.

Normally, the food is the best part of any party.  But in this case, my favorite idea for the shower was using my Fuji instamax to make a scrapbook for the bride. The directions for guests are easy: take a picture, write a note to the bride-to-be, and pin your picture and note together. After the party. I collected all the pictures and notes and put them into a little book for the bride. It's a great way for the bride to remember the day and the loved ones that were there with her. 

(my co-hosts demonstrating)

Finally, we bought the bride a sparkly headband for her to wear and this adorable Etsy banner for her to sit under while opening presents. Since some guests didn't get around to taking a picture for the scrapbook, we passed around cards for people to write the bride a note. 

Overall, I'm so happy that I got to throw my friend a shower and for all the help from my mom and friends. Thanks for everything. 

& pin this post for your next bridal shower!

P.S. A slight etiquette note for shower guests: when somebody invites you into their home, don't tell the bartender that the house isn't your taste, especially in the earshot of the hostess. We don't care what you think and you only made yourself look bad. BYE NOW.

Hiking with your Dog

 I think it is officially officially summer... finally. That means grilling, swimming, and most importantly, spending time outdoors. Living in little Lexington, there isn't much to do. Once the colleges are out for summer, the town's population basically shrinks by 75%. Even the professors leave town! Without all those people to serve, a lot of the restaurants will close for weeks, and sometimes even months, at a time. Luckily, the one thing that there is an abundance of is outdoor activities.

Dixie is at her happiest outside. I wish I could get her to like swimming, but unless she can stand in the water, she won't go near it. What Dixie does love is walking, and the more rural and wild the trail, the better. She doesn't want to walk on a sidewalk, a well maintained wooded pathway is okay, but a trail where she has to climb up rocks and jump over trees- perfect. As Dixie and I have gotten into better shape, the hikes have gotten longer and tougher, and Dixie has accumulated quite a bit of gear. After trying out a lot of different products, over packing for hikes and forgetting things we definitely needed, Dixie and I have narrowed our hiking gear down to 13 products!

So here is my favorite gear for hiking with your dog!  

Kurgo Go-Tech Adventure Dog Harness with Seatbelt Loop - $26.99

This is great harness for every-day walks, more difficult hikes, or just driving around with your pup. It has a large padded chest plate and a top strap to let you pull your dog over a log, on top a rock, or out of the water. There is a no-jingle back D-Ring, but if your dog is pulling you along the trail, there is a no-pull halt ring on the front chest plate. It's perfect for hikes with steep climbs and rugged terrain. 

Good2Go Easy Step-In Harness - $18

For hikes that have clear and even paths, I use this harness from PetCo. It's durable, easy to get on, and comfortable. For overnight hikes and camping trips, this is a good harness to switch to overnight and while at your campsite. Dixie has absolutely no issue sleeping in this harness.

Dixie in her Good2Go harness and Ruffwear leash.

Ruffwear Knot-a-Leash - $34.95

This is a great leash that can withstand some wear and tear. It's inspired by rock climbing and uses strong, reflective kernmantle rope and a locking carabiner. Your pup won't be going anywhere you don't want him to with this leash. It also has an accessory loop that you can use to hold poop bags or clip-on items like treat pouches.

Black Rhino Hands Free Dog Leash - $27.99

Sometimes your hands need to be free when hiking. This hands free leash has a built in bungee to absorb the shock of any sudden jerks your dog makes. It's also a shorter 4 ft leash to keep your dog close. There are also handles on each side of the leash in case you want to unhook it from the belt and use it as a standard leash. You can also use my tutorial here and make your own hands free leash!

Ruffwear Bivy Bowl - $24.95

I used to have a rubber bowl that collapsed like this option, but Dixie ate that and we moved on to this one. Six months later, she still has been unable to destroy it. Unlike other fabric bowls, this one is ultra-durable, has a flat bottom, and a stable shape. It's also waterproof and can hold 60 fl oz when fully popped open. It collapses flat for easy packing, but it can also be clipped to your pack or your dogs harness.

Popware H-Duo with Companion Cup - $17.99

This bottle actually contains two 12 oz watertight chambers in one bottle. Fill one chamber with a drink for you and the other with water for your dog and off you go! The attached bowl holds one cup of food or water. It's also all dishwasher friendly. The only drawback is that 12 oz of water(or 24 oz if you use both chambers) may not be enough for your pup on a long hike, so you could still wind up carrying extra waterbottles. 

Blue Buffalo Divine Delicious Wet Food, Case of 12 - $15.19

Wet food is great way to keep your dog energized on hikes. When Dixie is tired and thirsty, she doesn't want to munch on hard, dry food. Wet food is a good alternative because it is packed with liquid (or in the case of this food, Savory Sauce), which can help rehydrate your pup. If your dog has a sensitive tummy, look to see if your dog food brand makes a wet version of your dog's regular dry food. This recipe would be great for dogs who eat Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey Recipe.

Blue Buffalo Healthy Starts Southwest Skillet with Beef & Eggs, Case of 12 - $16.21

Another reason I prefer wet food on hikes is because they come packaged in easy 3 oz servings so you don't need to pack an extra bowl! Dixie loves devouring her food right from the plastic cup it is packaged in. This is a great meal to take on hikes because it is packed full of protein that will keep your dog full and energetic! This meal isn't packed with liquid or sauce, but chicken broth is the second ingredient so they are still getting a little hydration!

Natural Dog Company Paw Soother and PawTector - $32.32 for both

Dogs' paw pads are extremely sensitive and can become dry and painful through contact with harsh surfaces like ice, salt, sand, and rough or hot surfaces. Paw Soother helps deeply heal, moisturize, and nourish paw pads to make them soft and smooth again. But before your pup is in pain, you can use PawTector to prevent their paw pads from drying out. It's perfect for use before walks on city sidewalks or long hikes on uneven or rocky terrain. PawTector creates a nourishing barrier between damaging surfaces and your pup's paw pads to keep them soft and smooth. Both products are organic, vegan, 100% natural, and perfect for the dog that already lives better than you do.  

Ruffwear Grip Trex - $74.95

When the terrain is too extreme or the hike it too long, your dog's paws may need a little extra help. These high-performance boots have a resilient Vibram outsole for exceptional traction (no slipping!) and breathable air mesh that keeps dirt and debris out. The secure closure system keeps boots in place but they are still easy to put on the squirmiest pup. Lastly, they have a reflective trim for visibility in low light!

Canine Friendly Pocket Pet First Aid Kit - $12

You may never need to use it, but it's  important to have in case of any little bumps, scratches, or serious injuries. This kit can be used for human or pet first aid and includes  a Walks'n'Wags pet first aid pamphlet, 1 latex free exam gloves, 1 first aid tape, 3 gauze pads, 1 gauze bandage roll, 4 antiseptic wipes, 2 patch adhesive bandages,nand 1 elastic bandage. It all comes in one compact case that easily attaches to your leash or pack.

JoJo Modern Pets Essential Pet First Aid Kit - $35.49

This 16-piece kit contains all the essential first aid supplies that you may need if your pet needs first aid attention, although there are still more exhaustive first-aid kits for sale. This kit contains 1 triangular bandage to use as sling to take weight off of injured limb, 1 PBT elastic bandage, 1 depressing bandage, 1 sterile gauze pad, medical tape, 1 sting relief pad, 1 antiseptic cleansing wipe, antibiotic ointment, cotton buds, 1 wooden tongue depressor, scissors for trimming hair around wound and cutting gauze & bandages, tweezers, 1 set of PVC gloves, styptic powder for use on nail wounds to deter bleeding, 1 instant ice pack, and 1 emergency blanket.

OSPREY Verve 9 Hydration Pack - $100

I bought this primarily as a cycling backpack, but Osprey offers plenty of packs for hiking/cycling or just hiking. I like the VERVE 9 because of its breathable mesh straps and back panel and 2.5 L reservoir. It also has just  enough storage for the things Dixie and I need, but not so much storage that I feel the need to over pack to fill the empty space.

So get out there and enjoy the great outdoors with your pet!  

Happy hiking! 

Seafood Paella

In high school, I somehow managed to travel to Spain not once, but twice. I have no idea how I got so lucky. Over two summers, I spent time in Barcelona, Madrid, Segovia, Zaragoza, Toledo, Oviedo, Cudillero, and Gijón. Everything about it was amazing and everything we ate was seafood. I'm talking endless fish, octopus, and massive shrimp with the heads still on. And I didn't appreciate it at all. 

I was not a seafood person. The smell of fish made me gag and popping the heads off shrimp was not even the tiniest bit appealing to me. I would be presented with a plate of beautiful, fresh seafood, and I'd stuff it all into a giant baguette until all I could taste was bread. I wasn't even into octopus! If I could go back in time, I would slap myself silly.

Now that I am obsessed with seafood (and live between two mountain ranges with little access to seafood), I can share my seafood paella with you. The best thing about working on a paella recipe is that I get to make and eat paella, like, every night. And that is exactly what I've done for the past week. 

This is actually the perfect party recipe. I've written the recipe for 4, but you just need to double the paella part of the recipe for a larger crowd. I wouldn't go further than doubling it unless you have a ridiculously large cast iron on hand. I mean, I use a pan that's 18 inches in diameter for serving 8, and it takes up my entire grill! Doubling the recipe can easily feed a party of 15+ by loading up on chicken, sausage, and seafood.

But back to what a great party recipe this is... All the prep and clean up is easy and can be done before guests arrive. All you need is sa food processor, a knife, a cutting board, and some plastic baggies, so clean-up is a breeze. Once guests arrive, you can hang out outside and socialize with your guests because all the cooking is done on the grill. It's also such a show stopping dish. You'll easily impress your guests with barely any effort. That's the goal. Lazy girls rejoice.

Serves roughly 4 very hungry adults 

for the P A E L L A 

• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp smoked paprika

• 2-3 bay leaves

• 1 healthy pinch of saffron

• 1 bunch of fresh parsley

• salt and pepper

• 1 large (or two small) heirloom tomato

• 2 lemons

• olive oil

• truffle oil

• 1 small jar stuffed green olives. I use olives stuffed with blue cheese, but garlic or pimento should work as well.

• 1 cup rice (i know bomba rice is more authentic, but I use jasmine or basmati rice because my Kroger only sells bomba rice in TWO POUND bags)

• 2 cups chicken or seafood stock

• 1 ½ cups sofrito

• your choice of surf and turf. I always seem to use 16 oz shrimp and 2 lobster tails (split because everybody wants a lobster tail). Then I will also add clams (usually around 12), sea bass, and/or chicken breasts. You can also add mussels, prawns, cod, halibut, monkfish, and chorizo.

S O F R I T O  

• 1 ½ lbs onion

• 1 red bell pepper

• 1 yellow bell pepper

• 2 peppers (Serrano, Habanero, or Padròn)

• 1 handful chopped cilantro

Optional Ingredients: 

S H R I M P    M A R I N A D E 

• 1 ½ teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon cumin

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

• ½ teaspoon cayenne

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Olive oil

L O B S T E R   M A R I N A D E

• ½ cup oil

• 1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• ½ teaspoon crushed garlic

Let's Get Cooking:  

01. Prep your ingredients.  Like I said, this is the perfect party recipe. Do all this before the party, clean it up, and the rest of the cooking can be done using a cast iron pan and the grill.

• Make the sofrito by roughly chopping the onions and peppers and removing the stem from the fresh cilantro. Toss it all into a food processor, and store in the fridge for later.

• Crush the tomatoes using your hands, a grater, or the food processor. Make sure you don't lose any of the juice. I opted for the food processor since it was getting dirty anyway.

• Mince the garlic or just embrace the laziness and buy pre-minced garlic.

• For chorizo: Cut into ¼ inch slices.

• For chicken: Parboil the chicken. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, chop the each chicken breast into 6 pieces, and boil the chicken peices for 6 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and discard the water. Toss the chicken in a plastic bag with the juice of 1/2 a lemon and some chopped parsley. Store in the fridge.

• For clams: Keep submerged in fresh tap water for at least 20 minutes before grilling.

• For mussels: De-beard the mussels and scrub the shells. Discard any that are open or cracked.

• For shrimp: Peel shrimp. Combine ingredients for shrimp marinade in a sealable plastic bag. Toss in marinade, seal bag, and store in fridge.

• For lobster: Halve the tails and make marinade by combing all ingredients . Do not combine, set both aside in fridge for later.

02. PARTY TIME! Heat a large (at least 12-inches in diameter) cast iron pan over a medium-high grill

03. Add oil, and when the oil is hot, toss in minced garlic, smoked paprika, and chorizo. Let the chorizo brown a bit. Put the chicken on the grill at this time to caramelize it. If you are using fish, add it to the pan now.

04.  Add 1.5 cup of sofrito. Lightly fry the pepper-onion mixture, add the crushed tomatoes, and stir. Once the tomato juice has been soaked up/reduced a bit, add the rice. Let it toast and then toss in a splash of wine and give it all a good stir.

05. Add the chicken/seafood stock, olives, saffron, bay leaves, and grilled chicken to the pan. Stir and cover the pan with foil for 15 minutes. 

06. Skewer the shrimp and grill (don't forget to flip). Brush lobster tails with marinade and put them flesh side down on the grill. Keep basting the lobster as it grills & especially when you flip it. Put the clams and mussels on the grill in a single layer, let sit until they open. Cut the remaining lemon in half and put the three remaining lemon slices on the grill slice side down. 

07. Check on the pan. If all the liquid is absorbed, add the seafood to the pan. Try to keep as much of the liquid from the clams in the shell when transferring it to the pans. 

08. Use the charred lemons halves as garnish along with the fresh parsley. Drizzle with truffle oil and serve straight out of the cast iron.

FINAL NOTES:  There will be a layer of burnt rice at the bottom of the pan. Scoop that shit up. It's the best part. You'll also have some leftover sofrito. Sofrito actually means lightly fried, so to finish it, toss it in a pan with some olive oil over medium high to high heat. It will keep in the fridge for three weeks and keep frozen for 3 months. It can be used as a base for so many easy weeknight recipes, just turn to Pinterest! 

enjoy darlings!!

& don't forget to pin the recipe for later!