Bites of My Life

Ya so Bites happening on Monday morning is becoming harder and harder. But let's take a bite on this fine Tuesday evening and pretend like it's Monday morning - ya? Ya! 

While I'm also feeling lazy and have a migraine from staring at my screen all day we are going to keep it short and sweet and let the pictures do the talking!

-This bowl on repeat last week, AND this week. Inspired by The Define Dish's Greek Grilled Chicken Bowl.
-Perks of living with a teacher are getting to take advantage of her "Teacher Appreciation Week" gifts. Every recipe in Joanna Gains book is perfection.
-Apple + Coconut fruit bar from TJs. Like a Larabar but no nuts. Under $1 too! Been stashing these in my car and work bag per Kathleen's suggestion. 
-Super basic dinner, super satisfying, and super delicious. Just chicken sausage, steamed broccoli and vine ripened tomatoes! 
-Friends since high school and now celebrating med school graduation for Kristen! To Duke she goes for residency!
-Prepped a bunch of Perfect CCCs to take to the lake this weekend. When I prep ahead I go ahead and roll into balls, then freeze on cookie trays, then transfer frozen balls to a big ziplock. Then when it's time to bake you aren't having to thaw out a whole tupperware of dough. Just set the balls of dough out on sheet trays while your over preheats to let come to temp a bit!
-Bootcamp in 90 degree heat is no joke, but v worth it.
-Grill out numero dos of the weekend. Not mad about it!

Annie

Bites of My Life

Summer, I can feel you. And you feel real good. Really warm weather, things slowing down (a bit) and the most fun weekend away in Austin, only to come home and love on my momma made for a perfect week. I'd do a repeat this weekend if I could!

-Prettiest salad I ever did see. Get the details here. 
-When happy hour gets a healthy spin on it!
-We move into our company office in less than a month. Only a few grind sessions left with my make-shift standing desk. 
-Women in food. Proud to be one and proud to work alongside these other ladies. See our faces in the current issue of Edible OKC. 
-Pre-bachelorette protein shake vibes!
-Touched down in ATX for Stacia's Bach weekend and headed straight for Happy Hour. Have I mentioned I'm coming to terms with gin? Never thought it would happen but drinks like this strawberry, basil and gin punch from Irene's has me sipping on the once distasteful liquor.
-All the girly drinks all weekend, including the best darn mudslide and brandy ice found at the Four Season's in downtown Austin. 
-Wiggin' out for the future Mrs. Ranallo!
-Lake day for our soon-to-be bride!
-Sweetest almost 9 1/2 month old there ever was. 
-Vinegar cocktails, yes you heard that right. Using my favorite new Comice Pear White Balsamic Vinegar from The Oil Tree, mixed with a shot of Tito's and Le Croix! Perfect way to cheers my cute momma on Mother's Day!
-FIrst time of the season taking my little cruiser out for a spin. Perfect end to the weekend. 

Annie

Bites of My Life

May, my favorite month! May means April is over (a commonly busy/stressful month for me), summer is on the horizon, temperatures finally start acting like the time of year it is, and it's my birthday month!

Two very busy back to back weeks and weekends are over. They were fun and rewarding, but I'm glad to have those two stressful, busy, and tiring weeks behind me. Now I'm just looking forward to enjoying the summer-like temperatures, the relaxed vibe this time of year brings and especially looking forward to a bachelorette party in Austin this weekend for my Staysh girl and then some celebrating of my favorite momma for Mother's Day!

-New "Lite Bite" post! Thai Chicken Lettuce Boats. 
-On an avocado toast KICK! Current version is smashed avocado with Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel seasoning on a piece of Dave's Killer Bread Cinnamon Raisin. The sweetness of the bread totally works and compliments the avocado. 
-All kinds of new dishes coming to The Jones Assembly menu. Somehow getting to taste, photograph and give my feedback on the dishes is included in my job title. Not sure how I got so lucky. On that note, I also just celebrated my 2 year anniversary with the best company around!
-Current protein shake crush: frozen pineapple, frozen cauliflower, ginger, avocado (for creaminess), vanilla protein powder and coconut water.
-5 o'clock at the oasis (name that show) aka mom and dad's backyard.
-Winning combo for weekend mornings. Arbonne detox tea and NEW gold gel eye masks. 
-Can't do wedding dance floors without these two. 
-#FiestaDeFranklin.
-Love getting to be this chick's aunt!

Annie

Lite Bite: Thai Chicken Lettuce Boats

Here's the 411 on "lite bite" posts. These are recipes I came up with on the fly. Measurements are geared toward cooking for one, but can easily be upped to feed more. Any questions about conversions or recipes, never hesitate to email me annie@takeabiteblog.com.

Thai Chicken Lettuce Boats
instructions yield 1 serving

green leaf lettuce
rotisserie chicken, shredded
roasted unsalted cashews
coconut oil
fresh ginger, finely chopped
garlic, minced
Sambal Oelek chili sauce
salt and pepper
cilantro
green onion
sesame seeds
cashews

Cut the core off the end of your lettuce. Wash and pat dry each lettuce leaf. These will become your "boats." A tip I learned from my roommate Lindsay is after washing your lettuce, lay it out on long strip of paper towels. Pat dry, then roll up your lettuce in the damp paper towels and store in a plastic grocery sack in the fridge. The lettuce will stay crisp and fresh!

Heat 1 tsp. of coconut oil over medium heat. Sauté 1/2 tsp. of minced garlic (or half of a clove) and 1/2 tsp. fresh ginger for about 30 seconds. Add 3/4 cup of shredded rotisserie chicken and 1/4 cup crushed cashews to the pan. Add 2 tsp. of Sambal Oelek chili sauce to pan. Sauté and warm all the ingredients, only takes about 1 to 2 minutes. Add a pinch of salt, pepper and tear in a few leaves of cilantro.

Once everything is combined and warmed through, divided the chicken mixture amongst 3 leaves of lettuce. Top with sesame seeds, more cilantro and thinly sliced green onions. 

I love this meal for dinner or lunch leftovers the next day. Tip: the inner baby leaves of your green leaf lettuce bunch are perfect for dipping in hummus!

Annie

Bites of My Life

Consistently my favorite weekend in OKC. The last week/weekend of April is home to the Festival of the Arts and the Memorial Marathon. I've been going to the arts festival for as long as I can remember. I'm partial to the "culinary arts" aspect of the festival, but it is all great none the less. See past visits here, here and here. And a ghetto archived post here.

The Memorial Marathon is always a favorite event too. My knees won't allow me to run it, but I love waking up at the crack of dawn to watch friends and co-workers over the years. Helps that the marathon runs right through my parents neighborhood. 

To add to the weekend, there was a baseball game, a basketball game (RIP the Thunder's playoff season), a charity event and the most fun couples shower. You know you helped throw a good party when it transitions from barbecue, to flip cup tourney to all-guest dance party lasting until 1AM. 

April, you were exhausting but a good one.

-Death by BBG. Kathleen and I are now on week of BBG. While it's terrible, it helps to have a buddy and works. 
-Working through dinner aint so bad with an açaí bowl on the back patio. 
-Cauliflower fried rice recipe aka a freezer clean-out. Recipe is highlighted on my instagram!
-Got it from my momma // 1 scoop vanilla, 1 scoop chocolate Arbonne protein, 1/2 frozen banana, some ice, 1 tsp. almond butter and almond milk!
-I typically branch out more at the arts festival, but you can't beat a classic Indian taco.
-Loved the little details for our "I Do BBQ"
-Showered our Staysh!
-All eyes to Gabe in the corner of this picture. Cheering on the marathon runners at Gorilla Hill. 
-After a v long weekend and all the eats and drinks this was necessary. An all green veggie salad eaten in bed, then promptly to bed right after (at 6:30PM).

Annie