Tag Archives: Summer

Refreshers

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Hey friends!!

Well today was great! It was fantastic to see my cast, and to learn the new material. The show is going to be so great!!!

After I came home from rehearsal I was exhausted, hot, and a bit hungry. I decided to that a frozen treat would be exactly what I needed. I wasn’t really in the mood for the traditional chocolate ( I know… blasphemy). I wanted something light and refreshing.

Yesterday I froze some watermelon and decided that would be the perfect ingredient to use. I love watermelon. EVERYONE loves watermelon (this is a generalization I am willing to make). I couldn’t just blend frozen watermelon. That would be way too boring. 

I decided to pare the juicy watermelon with a fresh cucumber. It was a good idea. This cucumber watermelon sorbet is cold, sweet and most importantly, east to make. The hardest part is going to be sacrificing some of your fresh watermelon to the freezer, but I promise it’s worth it.

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Cucumber Watermelon Sorbet

  • 1 cup Frozen watermelon
  • 1/2 cucumber (skinned)
  • 1 tbs vanilla or plain yogurt of choice
  • stevia to taste
  • optional: 1 tbs cacao nibs or chopped chocolate chips

blend all ingredients

Blend all ingredients and enjoy!

Sorry this post isn’t the most eloquent. I left my brain in the rehearsal studio!

xoxo SYN

New Beginnings

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Tomorrow marks the start of a new beginning for me. Big Fish begins rehearsal for BROADWAY!!! If you had asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up,  I would have told you very sincerely, that I was going to be on Broadway. These past few years have been more than I ever could have hoped for, and I feel so incredibly lucky.

…SO that was deep.

Something that is LESS deep, but still crucially important is: Mexican Food

(Yea good intro I know)

I love mexican food. Unfortunately, restaurants tend to serve grease dripping, cheese lathered, sour cream drenched food (god that sounds so delicious). Since I can’t have that in my life, I love to make my own mexican food at home! I’ll often times make salads, or veggie tacos (i’ll post some recipes another time). Yesterday, I had some left over zucchini in the fridge (from the farmers market) and decided I would come up with some random skillet dish… what resulted was ridiculously tasty and satisfying!!!

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Mexican Veggie Skillet

  • 1 zucchini chopped
  • 1 Portobello mushroom chopped (I used the big kind, but baby bellas would work too)
  • 1/2 small eggplant chopped
  • onion (as much as you want)
  • 1 fresh tomato chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped (depending on how garlicy you like your food)
  • 1/4 cup quinoa
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheese of choice (I used non dairy)
  • 3/4 cup salsa
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves (I love cilantro, but if it’s not your thing, don’t use so much, or any at all)
  • 1/8 cup water
  • Optional: Chilli powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder (I used them all but I didn’t measure)

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Spray skillet with cooking spray. Add water and ALL veggies and cook for about 2-3 minutes. Next, mix in cilantro and salsa. Add your spices, mix well, and cover to cook until veggies are soft (about 10 minutes). Once the veggies are cooked, stir in cheese and quinoa. Gently stir and allow the cheese to melt in with the veggies. Transfer to plate, and add more cilantro on top.

ENJOY!!!

I love love love this dish, and will be making it often.

Well, I hope you have a fantastic Sunday Night… I will be sitting on my couch watching BREAKING BAD with the boy!!!!!!

xoxo SYN

Spice up your life!

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I used to hate spicy foods. To me, they were absolutely inedible. Fast forward about five years and I can’t get enough of spicy food! It’s probably due of the influence of my spice loving native Texan boyfriend. Or maybe it is that whole “your taste buds change every 7 years.” Regardless, I love it.

Spicy foods are not only awesome because they give your food a kick, but they rev up your metabolism. The capsaicin in hot peppers (the source from which hot peppers get their heat) is a natural anti-inflammatory.

I was totally in the mood for spicy yesterday  and wanted to come up with some awesome recipes. A couple of weeks ago, Keith (the boyfriend) and I went to a restaurant called Westville. Westville is a fantastic restaurant with TONS of healthy options (If you are in the Manhattan are, totally check it out.) They offered something called “Kimchi Kale Slaw” which instantly peaked my interest. Unfortunately, it was made with Mayo (a no-no for me). I made a note in my mind “I MUST MAKE THIS MYSELF”.

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Kimchi Kale Slaw

**Kimchi is a Korean spicy pickled cabbage.

about 4 servings

  • 1 cup Kimchi chopped (I got mine from Trader Joes, they sell it at whole foods, wegmans, or any Asian market)
  • about 2-3 cups chopped raw kale (start with less and you can always add if needed)
  • 2 carrots peeled and chopped
  • 1 pear chopped (leave skin on)
  • 2 spears chopped celery
  • 1/4 avocado
  • 2 tbs plain greek yogurt (I used So Delicious brand, but any plain yogurt will do!)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil (optional)

Chop and combine all ingredients. Mix well and refrigerate. serve cold.

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Next I attempted to make a spicy salsa, but then blended it too much. I decided to add some pepper, and cucumber and make some GASPACHO!!

(It may look disgusting, but it tastes amazing!)

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Summer Time Gaspacho

  • 8 roma tomatoes
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/4 large onion  (1/2 small)
  • 1/2 cucumber
  • 1/2 pepper
  • 2 tbs red wine vinegar
  • 1 jalepeno (more if you want more spice :) ))
  • 1/2 cup water (or more depending on how thick you want your soup)
  • salt and pepper to taste

cut vegetables so that you can easily fit them in your blender (I use a vitamix). Put EVERYTHING into the blender and blend until you get a soupy consistency! I really eyeballed all of the ingredients so taste yours and see if you need more of something! (I also added some hot sauce)

Serve COLD

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Again, it’s not the most beautiful soup but it sure tastes amazing.

I hope your weekend is happy and healthy!!!

I just got a new kitchen gadget that I am super excited to share with you guys!!!

Hint: It makes spaghetti :) :) :) :)

xoxo SYN