Spicy Tequila Lime Fish Tacos

I made these fish tacos about a week ago. They're a lot of work, but they're totally worth it.

Spicy Pan-Fried Tilapia*

What you'll need:

• Aluminum foil
• Cooking spray (I use Pam Olive Oil)
• 1/4 cup of flour
• 2 teaspoons of seafood seasoning (I use Old Bay)
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black paper
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 pound of tilapia fillets

How to prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.
3. On a large plate or in a shallow dish, mix flour, seafood seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Add olive oil to a large skillet and heat to medium.
5. Rinse each tilapia fillet with cool water and pat semi-dry with paper towels.
6. Lightly coat tilapia fillets with flour mixture. Shake off any excess.
7. Place floured tilapia fillets in oil and brown both sides. (This should take 2 to 3 minutes per side.)
8. Place cooked tilapia fillets on lined baking sheet.
9. Place baking sheet in oven to keep fish warm.

*Adapted from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/pan-fried-tilapia-recipe/index.html

Spicy Tequila Lime Sauce**

What you'll need:

• 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons of tequila (I use what I drink -- Jose Cuervo Especial Gold)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (I did this by hand, but I think I'll buy the jarred stuff for next time)
• 2 tablespoons of hot sauce (I use Frank's Red Hot Original)
• 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, stems removed
• 1/4 cup olive oil

How to prepare:

1. Combine all ingredients in blender and blend well.
2. Transfer mixture to microwave-safe dish (I use a Pyrex measuring cup).
3. Microwave mixture until warm.

**Adapted from http://www.grouprecipes.com/19148/tequila-lime-fish-marinade.html

Spicy Tequila Lime Fish Tacos

What you'll need:

• Corn tortillas
• Spicy pan-fried tilapia, prepared as above
• Spicy tequila lime sauce, prepared as above
• Sour cream (optional)
• Pico de gallo (optional)
• Shredded cabbage
• Fresh cilantro

How to prepare:

Assemble tacos as desired.

Suggestions:

1. Serve with corn, black beans, and/or rice (I like Basmati).
2. If serving rice, drizzle leftover tequila lime sauce on top.

Quick E!

I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Here's what I've enjoyed recently:

-The Hunger Games movie
-Hokie football
-Managing/following my Fantasy Football team
-Jack White's solo album, Blunderbuss

I'm anxiously awaiting the season premieres of Grey's Anatomy on Sept. 27 (don't judge me) and Dexter on Sept. 30.

Update

A few days after my last post, I submitted a substitute teacher application for a different county. Less than two weeks later, I received an email inviting me to participate in the two-part substitute training class. I went to the first part last Thursday. I was surprised by how much it focused on protecting yourself from getting into trouble, but I guess that's just how it is these days.

Tomorrow I will do a classroom observation at a local middle school. I'm excited to see what it's like. On Wednesday evening, my first teacher certification course begins. On Thursday, I'll go to the second part of substitute training. I'll do all of this while still working my hours at the engineering company. It's going to be a very busy week!

Concrete Jungle

My First Trip to New York

Friday
 
Early Friday morning, Kevin, Les, and I boarded a Tripper bus bound for New York City.
 

Kevin & Les, the great conversationalists

 
By mid-day, we arrived at Penn Station, where we met up with Nick (currently living in Brooklyn) and Jon (also visiting). Our first stop was a nearby pizza place, where I enjoyed two slices of margherita pizza.

After lunch, Nick led us to the 30th Street entry to the High Line, "a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side" (http://www.thehighline.org/). We walked about half-way before taking a break on the lawn.

Jon



Nick & Kevin



At the end of the High Line, we found ourselves in the Meatpacking District. We decided it was time for some drinks. Since I had been craving a pomegranate margarita, we decided to try Dos Caminos, "modern Mexican cuisine & tequila lounge" (http://www.doscaminos.com/). My Blue Pomegranate margarita was a little pricey but totally worth it. Nick's Michelada, "beer on the rocks with lime, hot sauce and Maggi," was pretty interesting too.

 

Our next stop was a local chain pharmacy called Duane Reade. We then caught the subway to the World Trade Center area. After picking up our tickets for the memorial, we had a little extra time. We walked to the Irish Hunger Memorial, where we were also able to see the Statue of Liberty across the water.

 

 

We walked back to the World Trade Center area, where we met up with Nick's brother Garrett (currently living in Harlem). Nick hung back while the rest of us went to the memorial. The fountains were very peaceful but the crowds were too much for my taste.

 

 

After the memorial, we caught the subway to Molly's apartment in Brooklyn. We enjoyed some beers, including home brews from Nick and Jon, before getting ready for dinner. We caught the subway to M Shanghai Bistro & Garden, "a slice of Chinese heaven in Williamsburg" (http://www.newmshanghai.com/). The steamed dumplings were amazing and everyone enjoyed their entrees.

 

After such a big meal, we were in need of a little boost. We stopped at a convenience store for 5-Hour Energy and Starbucks DoubleShot. We then headed to our first bar, Good Co. (http://www.goodcobk.com/index.php). Most notable were the Sweet Tea Vodka infusion (Molly's favorite) and the outdoor patio where some of us sat while others played darts.

 

Our second bar was Union Pool (http://union-pool.com/), where we again headed for the outdoor patio. Not long after we arrived, a big storm rolled through. While huddled under a big umbrella, we were able to snap some funny photos and watch some interesting characters. Our third and final bar was The Woods, where we danced to awesome music. When we finally made it back to Molly's, we had surpassed our goal of staying up past 4 AM.

 

Saturday

 

On Saturday morning, we walked to Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe. By the time we reached the front of the long, very slow line, I was extremely hungry. I ordered an onion bagel with plain cream cheese and a sesame bagel with bacon and chive cream cheese. I was pretty disappointed with the onion bagel (the onion got charred in the toaster) but the sesame bagel was delicious.

 

After packing up and saying goodbye to Molly, the five boys and I made our way to the train station, where we bought tickets to Long Beach.

 

Les, Nick, Jon, & Garrett

 

When we got to Long Beach, we took an interesting (and way over-priced) taxi ride to Andrew's house. Les, Nick, and Jon made a beer run while the rest of us headed to the beach. After a little while, they joined us and we spent the afternoon relaxing.

 



Andrew & Les



Nick



Kevin & Jon



Garrett

 

That evening, Andrew and Garrett grilled and cooked a good dinner. After sitting around for a while, I felt really tired and wasn't so sure about going out. But Andrew managed to convince me and we made our way to The Inn, "Long Island's premier live music venue" (http://www.thelongbeachinn.com/).

 

The first thing I noticed was how different the crowd was from the ones in Williamsburg. Right after we grabbed some drinks, the live band started. Kevin was surprised to realize that it was Liquid A (http://www.liquida.net/), a cover band that he had seen before in Arlington and Rehoboth. The seven of us danced until bar close.

 

Sunday

 

The next morning, Andrew made breakfast before driving us back to the train station. When we reached Penn Station, we said goodbye to Garrett and found a sub shop for lunch. We made one more stop at another Duane Reade before saying goodbye to Nick and Jon and boarding the Tripper bus to go home.

 

 

Upcoming Trips

 

In the next couple months, Kevin and I will take several trips:

 

-To Harpers Ferry, where we'll camp to celebrate our anniversary

-To Blacksburg, our home-away-from-home, where we'll visit Anne and celebrate Fallon's 25th birthday

-To Ashland, where we'll reunite with tons of friends and celebrate Kevin and Lindsey's wedding

 

I plan to write about them as soon as I can, so be on the lookout for new posts.

Extra! Extra!

It was a huge week followed by a huger (I doubt this is actually a word) weekend.

On Saturday, our friends Scott and Sheila welcomed their son, Noah, into the world.

On Sunday, two big things happened. First, I found out my long-time friend Matt (we went to school together from kindergarten until the end of college) got engaged. Second, our friends John and Megan welcomed their son, Greyson, into the world.

All of this news points to one thing. --> We're grown-ups now.

Mi Casa

Back in March, my husband and I bought our first house. Here's a photo and some details:

Outside:
3.67 acres of land
Large porch
2-car garage
2 sheds
Small deck

Inside:
4 bedrooms (3 upstairs, 1 downstairs)
2.5 bathrooms (2 upstairs, 1/2 downstairs)
Large country kitchen
Large living room with brick gas fireplace
Sunroom (This is where our two rabbits, Jack and Ellie, live.)

Here's what we've done with it so far:

1. Bought a king bed and Egyptian cotton bedding (Heavenly!)
2. Had VidSec Systems install an alarm system
3. Bought a microwave for the kitchen
4. Bought a small flat-screen TV and a DVD player for our bedroom
5. Had Clinton Fences build a fence around our back yard (They did a great job at a great price. Our dog Louie loves it!)
6. Bought a John Deere riding mower
7. Removed the strange display shelf from the living room ceiling
8. Removed the country-style wood window frames with curtain rods
9. Replaced the gold-tone cabinet handles in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room
10. Bought hanging flower baskets for the porch
11. Bought two glider chairs and a glider loveseat for the porch (We've only built the two chairs so far.)

Here's what we have on our near-future To Do list:

1. De-weed the landscaping and yard (We started yesterday and it's much harder work than I expected. We're both sore today.)
2. Stain the fence
3. Build the glider loveseat
4. Buy two accent chairs for the living room
5. Have the driveway re-sealed
6. Replace all the light fixtures (In particular, the NASCAR fan in the downstairs bedroom needs to go.)

We're also considering replacing the entire first floor (currently vinyl tile and carpet) with distressed hardwood.

Overall, I'm loving that there are lots of things we want to do but there's nothing we need to do.

Yellow Tail Red Wines

Right now, I'm loving Yellow Tail red wines. Here's what's I have in stock:

Merlot - My dad brought this to dinner the other night. It's light and dry with flavors of plum and spice.

Shiraz - It's light and dry with flavors of cherries, strawberries, vanilla, and spice. I use it in my berry sangria. See below for recipe.

Cabernet-Merlot - It's light and dry with flavors of blackberries and spice.

After looking these up, it's clear that I go for light and dry with various fruit flavors. Good to know.

Berry Sangria Recipe*

1 botttle of red wine (I use Yellow Tail Shiraz)
1 12-oz can of lemon-lime soda (I use Sprite)
1/2 cup of raspberries
1/2 cup of blackberries
1/2 cup of sliced strawberries
1/2 cup of blueberries
1 oz of brandy (I use E&J VSOP)
1 tsp of sugar

Combine ingredients in a pitcher and chill.

Suggestion:
If the sangria hasn't had enough time to chill or you just want a way to keep it cold in your glass, try using a scoop of sorbet instead of ice cubes.

Warnings:
1. Several glasses will stain your lips, teeth, and tongue a lovely shade of purple.
2. The fruit seems to soak up all of the alcohol. Eat at your own risk. :)

*This recipe was adapted from the recipe sheet that came with my Libbey sangria set.

The Dark Knight Rises

Last night, my husband and I decided to make it a date night. After a very low-key dinner and dessert (Five Guys and Cold Stone), we drove to our favorite movie theater, the AMC Hoffman Center. We used two of my Silver Experience Tickets for admission to The Dark Knight Rises. Although it started off slow and was long overall (2 hours 44 minutes), I thought it was well done. I particularly liked Anne Hathaway's Catwoman.

Based on the previews, I'm looking forward to seeing The Bourne Legacy and Flight in the near future...

Over-Eager Salespeople

A week ago, I ventured to the local mall to do some clothes shopping.

I went into one of my favorite stores, Express, only to be hounded by several different salesmen. One of them even made a couple comments on the way I look. "Did you just get your hair done?" and something to the effect of "Ooooo, girl, you got that body!" The whole thing just made me uncomfortable.

I had a similar experience, though not as over-the-top, at American Eagle. The salesgirl was very insistent that I take a look at the new slim boot jeans. After turning her down and finding what I actually wanted (a pair of white skinny jeans), I headed to the checkout counter. The same girl asked for my AERewards card. I told her I don't shop there too often, so I don't want or need a rewards card. She pretty much forced me to do it anyway.

I never used to have this type of problem. Perhaps it's because I look a little older and the salespeople think I actually have some money to spend. Regardless of the reason, I wish it would stop. A simple "Welcome to the store. May I help you with anything?" will suffice.

Needless to say, I won't be heading to the mall again any time soon.

Big Changes

For the last two and a half years, I've been working as an electrical and test engineer for a defense contractor. Even though the company has been great, I haven't been able to shake the idea of teaching middle school math.

In June, I started talking to an advisor about an accelerated teacher certification program. I also submitted an application for substitute teaching.

At the end of July, I sat down with my boss to explain the situation and give my two weeks notice. I was grateful for how understanding he was. I was also surprised when he asked me to consider working part-time for a while.

I took a couple days to weigh the pros and cons and to come up with a realistic weekly schedule. I concluded that working part-time was the best plan forward. So, as of mid-August, I will be a part-time engineer. And, as of early-September, I will be a part-time student.

It doesn't seem like subbing is going to happen (I found out I'm 164th on the list), but I'm toying with the idea of coaching one or two evenings a week at my old gymnastics studio. More on that later...

My Arsenal

HAIR

My hair is shoulder-length and has a wavy-to-curly texture. It tends to feel dry and look frizzy if I don't take care of it properly. My baby hairs (hereby referred to as "my babies") sometimes have a mind of their own.

I haven't seen my natural hair color since I started dying it in the 6th grade, but I believe it's a light ash brown. Over the last couple years, I spent a lot of money on salon color treatments and color prolonging products in hopes of getting it as close to natural as possible. A few months ago, I realized that I could achieve better results at home for a fraction of the price.

Daily Shampoo: Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Smoothing Shampoo
Daily Conditioner: Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Smoothing Conditioner
Leave-In Conditioner: Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Heat Defense Leave-In Conditioner
Shine Serum: Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Smooth & Shine Serum
Dry Shampoo: Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo

In case you couldn't tell, I LOVE the relatively new Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion product line. It leaves my hair feeling silky and looking shiny.

Hairspray: L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray (Extra Strong Hold)

The bottle boasts "THE FINEST HAIRSPRAY USED BY THE FINEST STYLISTS". It also says "DISAPPEARS AT THE STROKE OF A BRUSH", which is absolutely true. I really like that it comes in a regular size and a travel size. The only thing I don't particularly like? The scent. However, I just saw that an Unscented version is now available. Can't wait to try it. 

Clarifying Shampoo: Joico K-Pak Clarify Chelating Shampoo

My old hairstylist recommended this. I've started using it once every week or two, especially right before I color. It gets rid of oil, well water deposits, product build-up, chlorine, etc. Just be sure to follow up with a good deep conditioner.

Color: Clairol Natural Instincts Brass Free Brunettes in 6C Light Brown

I use this every five to six weeks. The key is to use a hair coloring brush and bowl to apply color to roots. Only pull color through to ends for the last couple minutes.

MAKEUP

My face and lips almost always feel dry, even in southern Maryland's crazy summer humidity.

I have fair skin with cool (read: pink) undertones. It never tans but it does freckle heavily when I spend time in the sun. My eyes are dark brown and I'm blessed with long, full lashes.

Skin Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting (Green Tint)
Eye Primer: Urban Decay Eyshadow Primer Potion

I only use primers for special occasions or big nights on the town. The Color Correcting Primer's green tint neutralizes my cool undertones. The Eyeshadow Primer Potion keeps my eye makeup firmly in place, even when I (accidentally!) sleep in it.

Foundation: L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup in C2 Natural Ivory
Powder: L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Powder in C2 Natural Ivory

The L'Oreal True Match line works well on my dry, sensitive skin. I really like that it comes in Cool, Neutral, and Warm shades.

Bronzer: NYC Sun 2 Sun Bronzing Powder in 719A Terracotta Tan

This bronzing powder has two shades in one compact. I use the darker shade on my cheekbones and the lighter shade on my forehead, nose, and chin.

Eyebrow Gel: Prestige Brow Perfection Revitalizing Clear Brow Gel

Like my babies, my brows can get unruly. This gel keeps them in place without feeling too stiff or sticky.

Eye Liner: Rimmel London Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Liner Pencil

I used to buy super cheapy eye liner pencils that would catch my eyelid as I used them. Then I found the Soft Kohl Kajal eye liner pencil. It always glides on smoothly.

Eye Shadow: Cover Girl Eye Enhancers, Rimmel London Colour Rush

Just like primers, I don't use eye shadow too often. These two brands offer a variety of shades. My favorites are the multi-color compacts.

Mascara: Maybelline Volum' Express One-by-One Waterproof in Blackest Black

I use this mascara every day because it never looks clumpy and it never smudges. I even trusted it on my wedding day.

Lip Gloss: Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss

This gloss is ultra shiny and comes in a variety of delicious flavors. My favorite is Minty Lip Shine because it's clear and cool and refreshing. My only complaint? Actually, my husband's complaint. It's a little too sticky for kissing.

NAILS

My fingernails have always been a source of disappointment. I broke my disgusting nail-biting habit a while ago, but I still find myself picking at my cuticles. My thumbs are usually the worst. On a more positive note, my toenails are in good shape.

Cuticle Dissolver: Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover
Fast Dry Nail Polish: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color
Bright Nail Polish: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color
Clear Nail Polish: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Hard as Wraps Acrylic Gel + Nylon

The Sally Hansen line is accessible and affordable and it works.

Nail Polish Remover: Onyx Professional 100% Acetone Nail Polish Remover

When I want my polish off, I want it off NOW. That's why I don't mess around with weak removers. 100% acetone gets the job done.

Artificial Nails: Broadway Nails Real Life in Real Short Length

Since my own nails aren't usually in great shape, I use Broadway Nails for special occasions. It takes about an hour to do a really careful job, but the result is a professional-looking manicure for only 5-6 bucks.

SKIN

As I mentioned before, my face and lips almost always feel dry. This goes for my body as well. On top of that, I'm somewhat sensitive to certain ingredients.

Exfoliant: St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub

I've been using this apricot scrub for as long as I can remember. It leaves my skin feeling fresh and smooth.

Facial Cleanser: Olay Total Effects 7 in One Nourishing Cream Cleanser
Body Wash: Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter
Facial Moisturizer: Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer with Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Facial Cream: Olay Complete All Day UV Moisture Cream for Sensitive Skin
Everyday Body Lotion: Olay Ultra Moisture Lotion with Shea Butter

My mom has always used Olay daily moisturizer and I started following in her footsteps back in middle school. When I got my first facial in February 2011, the facialist said I had some of the best skin she's ever seen. Her only suggestion was that I switch from a foaming cleanser to a cream cleanser. I now use Olay's cream cleanser and other skin products. I'll never stray.

Scented Body Lotion: Victoria's Secret Angel Touch Lotion in Heavenly

The Angel Touch lotion practically disappears on your skin, leaving it silky and scented. Perfect for date night.