Fried Zucchini

I made these for the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics. I also made onion rings, but those didn't turn out quite as well. The zucchini, however, was to die for. If you want a dipping sauce, combine some mayonnaise, wing sauce/tabasco, and garlic powder, yum! I pan-fried these in oil, but if you prefer to eliminate some fat, you can bake in the oven on parchment paper at 350 degrees Farenheit for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

P.S. This is an Atkins Induction-friendly side dish/appetizer!

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

6 T flax seed meal

3/4 C grated parmesan cheese (I used the green can)

1/4 C EVOO

Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb seasoning, to taste

fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

1 large egg

1 T Sweet Baby Ray's Wing Sauce & Marinade (or tabasco if you prefer)

2 medium/large zucchini

Instructions

Pre-heat 2 Tablespoons of EVOO in a small cast-iron skillet over medium heat. 

Cut zucchini into spears (I got roughly 12/zucchini).

On a plate, combine flax meal, parmesan, Mrs. Dash, and black pepper.

In a small bowl (I used a cereal bowl), whisk together the egg, wing sauce/tabasco, and water.

To coat zucchini: breading, egg wash, breading again. Shake off excess.

Fry in the oil until browned. Don't forget to flip!

Place on paper towels to soak up excess oil.

Add more oil to skillet in 1 tablespoon increments as needed.

Serve, and enjoy!

Nutritional Info (1 serving): 284 Calories, 12.6 g Protein, 23.72 g Fat, 8.2 Total Carbs, 4.4 g Fiber, 3.8 Net Carbs

Hot Pursuit

So, last weekend while I shopped till I dropped I found a ton of nail polishes on sale. They were good sales too! Essie for $4, Sonia Kashuk for $2, Orly for $1.65, and a few China Glaze for $1.45 (one was magnetic!). I definitely hit the jackpot!

This week's "nail of the week" is just a plain polish. I had the magnetic polish earlier in the week (which looked amazing FYI), but before I could snap a photo I messed up my nails while opening my eyeshadow palette. I never found time to re-do the magnetic polish, so that will have to wait for another Saturday. I did a quick new mani before going out last night, and decided on this because it matched my new coral wedges.

I would like to formally introduce you to Sonia Kashuk's "Hot Pursuit". It is a gorgeous orange-red. This is definitely one of my favorite colors, and a must-have. It went on smoothly and was opaque with 2 coats. 

Let's Polka!

Polka dots! Who doesn't love polka dots? I know I do! I was thinking about these nails for an entire week before I did them. I love the pale green color. It's great for spring and summer.

Here are the colors I used:

Color Club - French Tip

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear - Mint Sorbet

Orly - Sec 'n Dry Top Coat

To Perm, or Not to Perm?

... That is the question.

This past weekend, while watching yet another marathon of Sex and the City season DVDs (season 4, I believe), my mom randomly turned to me and said, "you would look good with a perm." My mother. The same person who, 5 years ago, said, "why would you want to perm your hair?" After she said this, it got me thinking, do I want to perm my hair? Well, I think I do. I try to curl my hair all of the time. I french braid it when I get out of the shower, I use the curling iron, and I also use hot rollers. All with a can of hair spray with each attempt, only to have my hair go limp and straight after about 20 minutes.

This was an attempt using a curling iron. It was flat 20 minutes later. No joke. 

Now, I don't want a Shirley Temple perm. No. I do however want a perm that will last more than 2 weeks. I have a few friends who have gotten perms and their hair went straight again after a few short weeks. Was it the type of perm they got? I don't know. 

So, would I look good with a perm? I certainly hope so, because I think I may go ahead and do it. Along with coloring my hair a strawberry blond with light honey blonde highlights. 

Lines & Dots

This week I decided I wanted a bright and flirty manicure. The coral pink is one of my favorite shades, especially for summer. Best part is, this nail polish is an Essie look-a-like. Instead of paying the steep $8.00 Essie price, I paid the $1.80-something price for this little beauty. I definitely plan on going to Bed Bath and Beyond to stock up on this one before they discontinue it on me!

P.S. I used toothpicks for both the black lines and the silver dots. 

Colors used:

Sinful Colors - Boogie Nights

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear - Celeb City

China Glaze - Smoke and Ashes

Orly - Sec 'n Dry Top Coat

Opalescent French Manicure

Every week I ask myself, "Self, how do you want to do your nails?" This week, my response was "french manicure". I did make a little "twist" to the regular french, though. 

Back in May, I received a lovely color called "Ellie" in my Julep Maven box. It is a sheer pink opalescent color that is to die for. It seriously is one of my favorite polishes. Ever. 

Instead of using a matte sheer pink/peach on my little french manicure, I decided to use Ellie. It doesn't change it so much that you notice it right away. You only notice it when the light hits your fingernails at the right angle, but it definitely turns an "oldie, but goodie" into something "new and fresh" :) 

Items Used:

Color Club- French Tip

Julep Maven - Ellie

Orly - Sec 'n Dry (Top Coat)

French Manicure guide strips

(I also attempted to use a Sally Hanson base coat, but the french manicure guide strips ripped off the base coat)

Little side notes:

I tried to find a link for the Ellie polish, but I could not find it on the Julep site. I am unsure if they discontinued the polish or not; however, Emma looks to be similar (I have not tried it, so cannot confirm this). Also, the Orly top coat dries very quickly, but it does cause polish to chip quickly/easily as most quick dry top coats do. If you don't mind having a manicure that chips in a few days, then go ahead and use it (I change my polish often, so I don't mind it). If you want your manicure to stay for a while, choose a different top coat.