August 02, 2015

Bites of My Life

August 02, 2015/ Annie

I started re-watching Gossip Girl last week so it's been a pretty good week. Bachelorette, new recipes, a new roommate, wedding pictures, and yoga, filled the days too. The fact that it's August though pretty much has my mind blown. I'm still denying the fact the summer has to end, so I'm not letting it. I have so many things to check off my to-do list still!

This week is off to the perfect start this morning. A start to sister's birthday week includes breakfast and The Today Show at my house! I hope to keep the days slow and intentional this week. I want to savor every last bit of the carefree summer days before they get replaced with busy autumn months.

-I can't stand you Kaitlyn, but at least you made the right decision.

-I had quinoa fried rice running through my blood last week!

-Sister's wedding pictures came in on Thursday and I'm mildly obsessed. The funnest way to relive the best day. Only problem is how obnoxious I realized I can be. I'm talking mouth open, hands in the air, trying to get in every picture taken, kind of obnoxious.

-Roommate Lindsay finally got moved in last week. We had the best time showing her OKC's best spots this weekend. I actually played tourist with her at our city's food truck festival, first time for both of us.

-Made a b-line for the Mediterranean food truck. Got this incredible oregano chicken over rice with falafel.

-Not even two minutes after ordering it got completely knocked out of my hand...I was on the verge of tears. Don't mess with me and food. Bit my lip and went back to order it again, the truck threw in a free baklava because they felt bad for me!

-Pulled myself out of bed Saturday morning to celebrate our Lululemon's 2nd birthday at #SweatstockOKC! A full day of free classes out in front of the shop. Photo creds.

-An amazing yoga class by our favorite teacher with my day one yogi!

-Post sweat sesh refueling at The Red Cup.

-A sea of S'well.

-Cookie butter rice krispies for friends and co-workers because I have to get this jar out of my pantry before I gorge the whole thing.

-Sunday night carbs during the premiere of Bachelor in Paradise. When one bachelor door closes, another opens. This show never ends.

Annie

July 30, 2015

Quinoa Fried Rice

July 30, 2015/ Annie

I really have no idea why it has taken me so long to post this recipe. In school I made quinoa fried rice almost every Sunday night. It's the ultimate healthy comfort food! I always have frozen veggies in the freezer and quinoa stocked in the pantry, so it's a staple meal in my repertoire!

This weekend while in Dallas, we had a sushi dinner at Shinsei. They told us they were known for their fried rice which they could make with white rice, brown rice or quinoa. Quinoa I hear?? They just spoke my love language. The dish came out with a fried egg on top instead of scrambled into the rice. Okay ya, so into that. I instantly knew I would be coming home to make it. I've now been eating it every night this week!

Cheat trick. I'm obsessed with this stuff. It's so easy to throw in while cooking and easier than trying to keep fresh garlic on hand. Second trick to my fried rice is using tamari instead of soy sauce. It's basically a gluten free less sodium version of soy sauce. It's still made from soy beans but leaves out the wheat and crazy saltiness you get from soy sauce.

Quinoa Fried Rice
serves 1

Ingredients:
3/4 cup cooked quinoa
2 tsp. coconut oil or olive oil, plus extra or frying your egg
combo of frozen or fresh corn, peas, edamame, carrots, broccoli etc.
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
2 Tbsp. tamari
1 egg
2 green onions, chopped
3 basil leaves, chiffonade (optional)
pepper
paprika

Directions:
Cook quinoa according to package directions. Quinoa is a 2:1 ratio. For example 2 cups water for 1 cup quinoa, or 1 cup water for 1/2 cup quinoa. I like to cook up a big batch and just keep it in the fridge to turn into fried rice or throw in salads.

To make the fried rice, add 2 tsp. of your choice of cooking oil to a pan over medium heat. Cook frozen veggies until tender then add in garlic. Add quinoa to pan and mix everything together. Drizzle over tamari or soy sauce. Cook everything together until heated and combined. Transfer to a serving dish and wipe out your pan. Add a little more oil to the hot pan then crack your egg in slowly. Cover with a lid and let it fry, don't flip it! This will keep the yolk pretty!

Once your egg is fried slide it over the quinoa and top with chopped green onion and basil! I like to add some pepper and paprika for presentation! Eat with chopsticks and you now have healthy asian food at home!

My ultimate single girl meal. Dinner for one, check!

Annie

July 28, 2015

Bites of My Life

July 28, 2015/ Annie

Looks like Tuesday bites really are becoming a thing... Last week was like the few days leading up until Christmas. I could barely sleep and couldn't count down the hours fast enough until I was going to back with all my gals. A quick trip to Tejas to all reunite and also send hugs and kisses to our girl Meg before she lets the Europeans take her for a year!

Lots of catching up happened over copious amounts of rose' and Joe T's margaritas. The volume instantly went up 10 notches when we all got back in the same room. I'm full to the top with happiness after this weekend!

-It's funny how healthy the week always starts and how unhealthy it ends...

-Got on on a serious acai bowl kick. Topped with lots of extra fruit and granola make them totally fulfilling for a healthy dinner. Not to mention so refreshing in this scorching heat.

-Are you following me on Snapchat yet (annietucker93)? No? Then you missed my step by step snaps showing how to make a perfect poached egg!

-Said farewell to our mermaid friend Trin as she moved to her new home in Florida! Wine and cheese softened up the sadness.

-Loved gushing about my this local product and their new almond butter bar. Did you catch the post?

-Said hello and goodbye to another bestie. London called and said you should just stay in America.

-Ulti weekend all being back together, except for that whole having to say goodbye thing again.

-Took advantage of being in Texas and being in close proximity to a Trader Joe's. Goodies on goodies crossed the border with me!

-Quinoa fried rice from Shinsei was blowing my mind! Learned a new trick for my version at home, recipe post coming this week!

Annie

July 23, 2015

Rise and KiZe

July 23, 2015/ Annie

I can't tell you how giddy I am about today's post. KiZE is a locally made energy bar created right here in Oklahoma City. It's an energy bar, meal replacement, snack, or really whatever you want it to be! Their goal is to help others maximize their success and live a happier, healthier and more purposeful life where they passionately pursue progress in mind, body, and soul. Their passion for mission is incredible. They constantly strive to serve others as well as giving back to the community - for example their partnership with Project Orphans to build family and community style homes for orphaned children in rural Haiti. I encourage you to view their GoFundMe Page to help support this mission!

Let me start by telling you a funny story. KiZE started a few years back, actually by one of my sorority sister's brother. They used to come to the house to share samples of the products. The only problem being that all five of their flavors were made with peanut butter. Major problem for the allergic over here.

I talked with them a random handful of times on how they need to make bars with almond butter! It's healthier and so delicious-I mean why not? After a few emails back and forth, I was even deemed the "almond butter girl" by one of the employees.

Well three years later, guess what? KiZE is about to unveil their almond butter bar! Ahhhh the heavens just opened. I expressed my almond butter obsession last week after I made my own. Then, the very next day I got to try KiZE's new AB bar! It has yet to hit the market, but I got to have a sneak peek bite at their new flavor. I may be biased, but I think it's going to be a top seller! The flavor tastes like pure almond butter. They've added in raw sage honey, organic rolled oats, whey protein and even a little shredded coconut. It doesn't taste like coconut but adds the perfect depth of flavor!

I like eating my KiZE bars for breakfast on those days when I'm rushing to work and need to grab something quick. Pictured here looks like a casual slow morning where I'm enjoying a cup of tea and blogging with my KiZE bar. Ya, so this is totally staged. Five seconds after I took this I threw my bar in my purse and bolted out the door!

Meal on the flash! One of the fundamentals KiZE was built on. They started as a way to provide nourishment for those who are too busy to eat, or don't have the time to eat a healthy meal. No time to eat? Crazy talk, I always make time to eat. But I will admit sometimes it means scarfing something down as I speed off to work in the morning!

Packaging is still in the works, but they are hoping to roll out the new flavor by end of August! In the meantime KiZE is offering a special discount code for all Take A Bite readers who want to purchase any of their bars! Just use the discount code TAKEABITE at checkout and you'll receive 15% off your order! This code is available through tomorrow, so get your orders in!

If you want to find out more about KiZE you can visit their website, follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! You can find them in local Whole Foods, coffee shops and fitness studios.

Annie

KiZE allows you to give back to your body as well as others! Here is the link again to assist their mission in building homes for young Haiti orphans!

July 21, 2015

Bites of My Life

July 21, 2015/ Annie

Tuesday bites? This can be a thing I suppose. After a handful of conversations with GoDaddy and pulling a few hairs out, they got me back up and running, and now here we are a day late on bites. Just rolling with the punches over here!

Last week consisted of fantabulous almond butter that you are missing out on if you didn't read the post, sharing my summer to-do list, taking my favorite workout outside, trying to be grown up and learning how to budget (I highly recommend this website), celebrating yet another fabulous weekend, and as always, some delicious bites. This weekend though I will be reunited with my closest friends as we say welcome home and farewell! Everyone has been scattered this summer and we are about to be scattered even farther apart. It will be bites worthy next Monday (well let's hope I can actually get it posted on it's correct day).