This past weekend I went to the Revel in Atlantic City while some college friends were visiting. We had the most delicious delicious dinner at the Mussel Bar and I also came away with $75 more dollars to my name thanks to the slot machines. It was another fabulous night had by mostly everyone involved. I believe my friend Karla might have discovered that AC is just not her thing.
Here’s a recipe for a Moscow mule which I had at dinner. It’s a great refreshing drink and is a good way to kick off the month of August!
Moscow Mule
1 ounce vodka
1 tsp. sugar syrup
Fresh lime juice
1/2 cup ginger beer
1 sprig fresh mint
1 slice of lime
This Summer I’m surviving largely on salads. I have extreemly limited cooking capabilities in my kitchen, not even a microwave, combined with zero cooking energy when I get home from work and the gym. I usually get home around 8pm, so I need something ready to go because I’m not waiting around for a delivery, or trying to prepare anything. I’m not a fast food burger kind of gal, so my go-to options are usually a pre-made salad, salad bar, or soup from the prepared foods section of a grocery store; or Panera. Both are quick, easy, delicious, and affordable.
Confession: I suck at buffets. For three reasons. 1. Sometimes I take the phrase “all you can eat” too seriously. 2. I don’t pick a theme or flavor profile, and while I love a good garbage salad, I manage to pick opposing ingredients. I usually start in one direction, like greens/craisons/pecans/blue cheese/apples, then I see salsa and I want to turn around and make a southwestern salad so I just add it to the pile. I have the same problem at fro yo places. 3. I need to remind myself to add nutritional value with a variety of veggies and protein. Just cheese, nuts, and lettuce does not a healthy salad make.
To trouble shoot my problems, I do my best to take a couple warmup laps around the salad bar to decide the optimal combination based on the ingredients available (this tip is in every healthy eating publication ever). And I also try to pile on the lettuce so it will fill me up and add negligible calories, making the “all you can eat” a little safer for me.
This summer I also have a decent salad bar at work, which I treat myself to once or twice a week (otherwise I try to bring my lunch). I feel kind of nerdy though because I love it, and a lot of my co-workers see the salad bar as the boring option for lunch.
My Favorites:
Salad Bar: Whole Foods ( I typically go with, romaine, fresh spinach, pecans, blue cheese, craisons, squash, cucumbers, black beans, red onions, maybe bell peppers, and some oil & vinegar)
Fast Casual Salad: Thai Chopped Chicken Salad at Panera
btw, have you seen the new to-go containers?
Salad ingredients I love: edemame, craisons, salsa, red onions
Salad ingredients I hate: olives, avacado, bacon, egg
Fave Dressing: oil and vinegar or a lite raspberry vinagrette
Least Fave Dressing: french
At the moment I’m favoring the cheese/nut/fruit type of salad, but I’m also a sucker for a good greek or southwestern salad.
If you are ever in Stone Harbor, New Jersey on a Tuesday, here is my plan for the perfect day. This just happens to be a recap of my day off on Tuesday. Of course, you need to start your day at the Bread and Cheese Cupboard. I happened to start my day with a blueberry scone and a cup of coffee. Then I walked around town to do a little morning window shopping. I went to the beach around noon to sit and relax. I met a few friends so I could catch up on all the latest gossip. Around 2:30, we decided to go for a long beach walk. With my feet splashing through the shallow water, I was at peace with the world. After we returned from our walk, it was time to leave the beach. I went back home to grab a refreshment and sit by the pool and unwind. I took a quick dip and then read my book for a little while. Around 7:45, I met up with my friend Tara for dinner at Marabella’s Family Restaurant. They are celebrating their 40th season this year and make old world Italian dishes to satisfy the tastebuds. In fact, Dr. Oz happens to think so as well since he ate there this past Memorial Day Weekend. After dinner, we headed over to the Windrift for Wing Night. I checked out the newly renovated space and I was amazed. The Windrift has transitioned itself from a beach bar into an upscale beach lounge. It was the perfect end to a wonderful day. There is nothing better than sipping a beer with the ocean breeze surrounding you.
Sadie Dishes 